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Basilica of St Mary of the Oak: art and faith beneath a gilded ceiling in Viterbo
Just a short distance from Viterbo, the Sanctuary and Basilica of Santa Maria della Quercia is one of the great symbols of the Viterbo Renaissance. Its story begins in 1467, driven by popular devotion to a terracotta tile depicting the Madonna and Child, hung upon an oak tree by way of protection for the surrounding countryside. A building born of popular faith, yet bearing the signature of some of the greatest artists of the age.
Renaissance art, inside and out
The façade immediately bears witness to the building's harmony, with the celebrated glazed terracotta lunettes by Andrea della Robbia. But it is the interior that is truly astonishing. The coffered ceiling, crafted by Giovanni di Pietro based on a design by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, is an immense gilded chessboard placed overhead. And behind the altar, the magnificent inlaid wooden choir reveals itself — a masterpiece of cabinetry.
The heart of the sanctuary: the oak and the tile
The eye is drawn to the small marble shrine designed by Andrea Bregno — architecture within architecture. Inside it, carefully protected, lies the origin of everything: the tile painted by master Monetto in 1417, along with the remains of the original oak tree from which it once hung. A detail that many visitors overlook entirely. The visit is completed by the two adjoining cloisters, one late Gothic and the other fully Renaissance in character.
Entry to the Sanctuary is free. Tourist visits are suspended during religious services. For information on opening hours and days, it is advisable to visit the Diocesan website.
