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The Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption: Roman Baroque in the Heart of the Sabina region
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the principal place of worship of Poggio Mirteto. it is the seat of the suburbicarian diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto. Construction got under way in 1641, based on a design by Martino Longhi. The church was blessed in 1684, became operational in 1721, and was consecrated only in 1779. In 1841, Pope Gregory XVI elevated Poggio Mirteto to a diocese, and the Assunta became its cathedral.
A Three-Nave Interior
The façade is in fired brick, with pilasters and a large central window. The interior makes a striking impression, thanks to its abundance of stucco work and altar in red Cottanello marble, the same material as the altar rail. On the vault of the central nave, a canvas of 1931 by Metello Helzel depicts St Cajetan of Thiene, patron saint of the town, confronting the Landsknechts during the Sack of Rome of 1527.
The Altarpiece by Giovanni Baglione
The most important work is on the high altar: a Madonna Assunta (Assumption of Mary) created by Roman painter Giovanni Baglione in 1613. The painting comes from the earlier church, the present-day Sala Farnese, and was already there before the new cathedral existed. In the side chapels are canvases attributed to Giacinto Brandi and Antonio Gherardi, the latter a Sabine painter born in Rieti. The organ, built by the Martinelli brothers of Umbertide in 1847, was inaugurated in 1851 at the behest of the first bishop, Nicola Crispigni.
