Tipologia:
Rock church and Site of interest
A valuable 13th-century Romanesque portal introduces visitors to a cluster of medieval rock churches that were transformed into wine cellars in the 17th century. Inside, the wine-presses that were used for winemaking and cisterns for collecting rainwater are still observable. The first church, dedicated to Saint Primus, has a ribbed cross vault with a fresco of an unknown saint. The second church, dedicated to the Annunciation, preserves the frescoes of Christ between Mary and St. John the Evangelist within the apse, and on the left wall, there is the fresco of a sainted nun and a Madonna and Child. The third church, dedicated to Saint Donatus, also has a cross vault, with two domes decorated in relief with lily crosses. On the first pillar to the right, there is a 14th-century fresco of the saint to whom the church is dedicated, of which only the face remains and in the next one, there is an image of Saint Leonard, datable to the 15th century. Frescoes of Saint Dorothy, Saint Barbara and episodes from the life of Saint Donatus, including the Entrance to the city of Arezzo and the Victory of the Saint over the Dragon are also visible. The last rock church is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great. The interior, with three aisles, is punctuated by pillars showing the frescoes of Saint Anthony the Great, from the 15th century, and that of Saint Sebastian, from the 16th century. At the bottom of the left aisle there is a lovely 17th century fresco of the Madonna di Picciano who appears to a farmer working in the fields.
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