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Church of the Holy Saviour in Proceno: a tower turned into a church in the heart of Tuscia
The Church of San Salvatore is the main church in Proceno, a village in the Viterbese Tuscia region 410m above sea level. It overlooks a small square that connects three districts — Centre, Salaiolo and Poggio — and is the village church where Mass is still celebrated every Sunday.
A tower before becoming a church
The exact date of construction is unknown. The theory is that, in place of the current bell tower, there was originally a tower, and that the building only became a church after the fortress was built. A curious transition, if you think about it: from defensive structure to a place of worship.
The 1919 earthquake and the reconstruction
Over the centuries, the Church of San Salvatore has undergone several restorations, but the most significant one dates back to 1919, after an earthquake caused the vault to collapse completely. This restoration work was also an opportunity to redo the marble floor. Today, there are aisles along the two sides leading to the altar.
The façade and the Gothic portal
The lower part of the façade is made of squared tuff stone, left exposed. No plaster has been used. The portal has a Gothic travertine arch with terracotta lunettes depicting a Madonna with Child and angels.
