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The Church of Our Lady of Victory in Percile and its treasure from Villa Adriana
Nestled in the greenery of the Monti Lucretili Park, just a short walk from the village, the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria is the best known sacred building in the area. Its history is tied to a famous medieval battle, yet it goes back even further. The church stands next to the restored Hermitage of Percile, a simple and peaceful place where visitors can reconnect with nature.
History and legend behind its foundation
According to tradition, Charles of Anjou founded the church following his victory over Conradin of Swabia at the Battle of Tagliacozzo on 23 August 1268. But the story is more layered than that. A document from the Abbey of Farfa, dated 1100, already mentioned a "venerable monastery of Santa Maria" on this very site, making it likely that the Angevin structure was in fact a reconstruction. A true palimpsest in stone.
A detail from Villa Adriana
Today the church has a simple façade in the Romanesque-Gothic style. But the careful eye will notice a surprising detail on the architrave of the portal: a Roman bas-relief depicting the god Oceanus and sea creatures, originating from none other than Piazza d'Oro in Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa) in Tivoli. It was stolen in 1986, but fortunately was recovered and put back.
The church is located in the hamlet of Vignola. For information on visiting hours, it is advisable to contact the Municipality of Percile directly, as admission details may vary.
