A Gothic church and a Simone Martini in a Calabrian village
On a hill overlooking the valley of the Esaro, at the foot of the Pollino, Altomonte is a village of stone houses, one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia", which preserves a surprising artistic treasure for such a small place. In the fourteenth century, the powerful lord of the area, Filippo Sangineto, a nobleman close to the Angevin kings of Naples, had a great church built here: Santa Maria della Consolazione, one of the most beautiful examples of Angevin Gothic architecture in southern Italy, with a simple stone façade, a splendid rose window and a bright interior with a single nave, which preserves the Gothic tomb of Filippo Sangineto, a refined marble work decorated with sculptures.
Next to the church, in the former Dominican convent, the Museo Civico displays the treasures that Sangineto brought to his fief from Naples and that were kept in the church, including a precious panel by Simone Martini, the great Sienese painter of the fourteenth century, depicting Saint Ladislaus, king of Hungary, a rare work by the master in southern Italy, as well as paintings, goldsmith's works and vestments. The village, with its lanes and the views over the countryside, is a pleasant place to stroll. Altomonte is also known for its gastronomic traditions, with cured meats, cheeses, figs and the products of the surrounding countryside, and in summer it hosts music and theatre festivals.
Tip: visit the church and the Museo Civico together; ask about the summer events in the village.
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