The church of San Mauro Abate, located in Castel Colonna, dates back to between the 16th and 17th centuries and was built under the rule of the Della Rovere family. The building underwent expansions in 1920 and a conservative restoration in 2016. Of particular value are the wooden Crucifix from the 16th-17th century and works of art such as the painting of the Madonna della Misericordia by Gaetano Lapis. The church, with its internal structure of three naves, represents a place of faith and culture for the community of Trecastelli, testifying to a long Benedictine and Marian tradition.<\/p>\n
The church of San Mauro Abate dates back to the 16th century or the first decade of the 17th century and was built during the rule of the Della Rovere family, when the ancient village of Tomba (now Castel Colonna) was under the control of the Dukes of Urbino. The bell tower, of fine and unusual workmanship, may be the only surviving element of the original structure.<\/p>\n
Historical information about the church is rather limited, but the most reliable sources are found in the volumes by Monsignor Mencucci, Senigallia and its Diocese \u2013 History \u2013 Faith \u2013 Art, where the history of the current parish is cited in the chapter dedicated to Castel Colonna.<\/p>\n
In 1920, Don Ottaviani personally financed the expansion of the church, incorporating the sacristy and preparing the construction of the two side naves. However, following his death, the work remained incomplete until after the Second World War.<\/p>\n
The church\u2019s patron saint, San Mauro Abate (celebrated on January 15), belongs to the great Benedictine tradition. The origins of the parish of Castel Colonna may date back to the 13th century. Initially the church was dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament and probably founded by Benedictine monks. In the 15th century it was recognized as a Priory, but only from the 17th century onwards is there documented information on the succession of parish priests. The current church became a parish church in the mid-nineteenth century, following the abandonment of the previous construction located outside the walls.<\/p>\n
The building stands in the center of the town, near the main square. Its internal structure, with three naves, is rather rare for a building of such a small size. Among the works of art housed inside, a wooden crucifix stands out, probably dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, a witness to the community\u2019s deep devotion.<\/p>\n
The conservative restoration, carried out less than ten years ago, was supervised by a team of experts and involved both the fa\u00e7ade and the interior of the church. The intervention gave the building a brighter appearance, helping to enhance its artistic heritage. The work, carried out mainly by local businesses, represented a significant intervention for the community. The official reopening of the Church of San Mauro Abate in April 2016 marked the culmination of a major restoration project aimed at restoring splendor to a place of faith and community, deeply rooted in Trecastelli\u2019s history and cultural identity. On that occasion, the altar was enriched by the presence of the relics of Saint Marina \u2014patron saint of the town\u2014 of Blessed Pius IX and Saint Maria Goretti, transferred to the church during the work, sealing the renewed bond between the community and one of its most significant spiritual symbols.<\/p>\n
The church\u2019s evocative atmosphere is enriched by the presence of several valuable paintings, including the painting of the Madonna della Misericordia by Gaetano Lapis from Cagli and a canvas depicting the Madonna and Child, both depicted with luminous and serene expressions. This last work is preserved in a side chapel along the left nave, with marble walls and a gilded radial frame.<\/p>\n
Further evidence of the parish\u2019s solid Marian devotion is the statue of the Madonna, probably dating back to the 18th century, located in the right nave before the Chapel of the Santissimo.<\/p>\n
The presbytery is characterised by a sober simplicity, with the only decoration in the apse consisting of the symbol of the Lamb. On the opposite side of the church, above the main entrance, is the choir.<\/p>\n