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The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in San Polo: A Medieval Palatine Church with Matroneum and 13th-Century Bell Tower
In the heart of San Polo, a medieval hamlet within the municipality of Tarano in the Sabina part of Rieti, the Church of Santi Pietro e Paolo is the oldest building in the village. It was originally a palatine church of the castle of Santo Polo, serving the local lords, probably between the 10th and 11th centuries. The position was strategic: the church was incorporated into the defensive system of the castle, and was directly accessible from the palace rooms. It had an internal balcony — the matroneum — from which the nobles attended services without having to mingle with the other churchgoers.
The Bell Tower and the Historic Bell
The bell tower dates from the 13th century, a square tower in local stone with Romanesque twin-light windows. It houses a historic bell which, according to local tradition, is one of the oldest in Sabina. The village of San Polo grew around this church and the castle: stone houses lean against the walls, steep lanes climb towards the summit. Many stones used to build the village come from excavations of the ancient Forum Novum (Vescovio), an abandoned Roman city in the valley.
San Polo and Tarano
The parish of Santi Pietro e Paolo is still active, under the diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto. From Once upon a time, the chapels of San Biagio, San Cosma, San Giorgio, San Stefano and seven other minor chapels were under the control of San Polo. The village of San Polo is 3 km from Tarano, reachable by a provincial road that crosses oak woods and olive groves.
