The Saint and His Exceptional Spiritual Legacy
Named after Saint Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) , a Valencian Dominican famous for his austere life, his charismatic preaching and more than 80 recognized miracles, the church reflects his spiritual strength and historical charge. The saint, promoter of the return of the Pope of Avignon to Rome and political mediator, is also the protector of winemakers, roofers and – symbolically – of the Nuñez–Sanchez family, who wanted to dedicate this sacred place to him.
Architecture, frescoes and sacred art
Designed by the architect Girolamo Theodoli, the simple but evocative building, in local stone and with an elegant bell gable, houses valuable works of art inside:
- Side frescoes by Michelangelo Cerruti and central painting by Giovanni Odazzi around the main altar.
- In the first chapel, one of the first statues dedicated to the Virgin after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.
- In the right chapel, a black Madonna perhaps from Loreto.
- A painting of Saint Dominic by Albert Besnard , a guest at Julie Bonaparte's salon.
- Under the floor, a crypt with tombs of the Nuñez–Sanchez, the Del Gallo and Prince Oreste Braschi.
A community hub between spirituality and history
Built around the middle of the 18th century, the church soon became a place of popular devotion and gathering. Today, it is regularly opened – usually on the second Sunday of the month – for Mass and celebrations such as religious and civil weddings, in a private but deeply meaningful context.
Nestled in a landscape rich in history and nature, the church is flanked by the Torre Giulia (a stone “folly” built for Julie Bonaparte) and by the paths dedicated to Horace. The surrounding valleys, immortalized by Hackert and Corot , offer themselves to the eye in their pure beauty, making the church a point of meditation and contemplation immersed in a timeless bucolic setting.
Heritage to share for the future
Today, the Church of San Vincenzo Ferrer is an integral part of the cultural offering of the Gardens of Orazio and the Castello del Gallo. Restored and enhanced, it is not only a place of worship, but also a space open to events, concerts - such as those of the summer concert season - and moments of collective reflection.
Visiting it means immersing yourself in a story made of faith, art and nature; of people, faces and traditions. It is an experience that intertwines spirituality and history, leaving those who enter with their heart and gaze turned towards the hills, the flowers of the undergrowth and the words of the saint that here still whisper, generously, through stone and sky.
