The Church with its Convent has a wonderful
vista of all Cascia. It is believed
to have been built over a pagan temple
and dedicated to John the Baptist.
It is a building that withstood the
tremendous earthquake of 1703 as
well as prior earthquakes. During
the 14th century the municipality
was obliged to make an Annual Offering
on the Patron Saint's Day to the
Prior of the Augustinians. Sometime
in the latter part the 14th century
The Hermits took possession of the
Church and built the Convent in 1381.
The
Temple and the Convent, as you can
see today, was built around 1389.
This is the year in which Giovanni
Buccio from Cascia drew up a bond
of supply on November 11th between
himself, Antonio Tozio of Beradone,
the Mayor and Friar's Procurator
for 35,000 Pantille or "Pinci" of
good quality for an amount of 80
gold Florins. The agreement accorded
delivery of 5,000 Pantilles in August.
Once the new Temple was erected the
old church was eventually abandoned.
Today the Church has undergone renovations
repairing 14th century frescos that
were recently rediscovered so as
to avoid further deterioration. Once
some the restorations were complete
some of the images and the Gothic
inscriptions were more discernible.
On the Lunette under the Gothic Portal
there is a 15th century fresco of
the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Upon
entering one is met on the right
by
the figure of Saint Nicholas from
Tolentino while on the opposing side
are the
figures of Saint Paul & Saint
Peter.
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