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Church of St Anne
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Church of St Anne
Overview
The ancient St Augustine's complex covers a considerable portion of the historic centre of Potenza Picena. In addition to the convent, which was formerly used as a primary school, the structure includes the church, bell tower and cloister. According to a certificate kept in the Vatican Secret Archives, the first record of the presence of Augustinians in Monte Santo and the church of St Mary Magdalene dates back to 2 July 1250. On that occasion, the bishop of Fermo, Gerardo, gave them the church (previously owned by the Fermana bishopric) with houses, 'spiazzi', appurtenances and related revenues. The concession was approved by Pope Innocent IV on 20 September of the same year. In the 14th century, there were some Augustinians living in the St Augustine convent and the church was financed by the municipality, which offered wax. A will, drawn up in 1348, shows that a certain Signora Gebelosa had left goods for the 'fabrica' of St Mary Magdalene. The convent appears to have been rebuilt or at least remodelled around 1420. At the beginning of the 20th century, a terracotta depicting Magdalene the penitent saint, attributed to Ambrogio Della Robbia, was found in the monastery complex, probably placed above the high altar of the church. Mary of Magdalene herself is featured in the large painting by the Pesaro painter Pietro Tedeschi (18th century). The church has been dedicated to St Mary Magdalene since its origins, and the popular name of St Augustine's Church is due to the fact that it was officiated by Augustinian fathers. Until the early 18th century, the church had two naves, with four arches, eight altars and three doors. The renovation of the complex, particularly the church, dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, with work lasting about twenty years. Among the many works that adorned the temple, one noteworthy is the 'St Nicholas of Tolentino intercedes for the souls in Purgatory', attributed to the school of Cristoforo Roncalli, known as 'il Pomarancio', with possible execution by Pietro Paolo Giacometti and Giovanni Antonio Scaramuccia. One can also recognise a small canvas depicting St Thomas of Villanova distributing alms, attributable to the aforementioned school.
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