Santa Vittoria in Metenano in the Province of Ascoli Piceno
The town of SantaVittoria in Matenano is set on a hill in a strategic position at the foot of the hill, Matenano. It was founded in the IXth century by Farfenses monks who constructed a castle and monastery. Since its origin, the village has mixed its history with that of the abbey to the point that its very place-name derives from the Christian Virgin and Saint Victoria, martyred in Rome in the IIIth century, and whose relics were transported here in 934. The name Matenano was instead added after the unification of Italy (1860).
The power of the Farfeneses monks brought upon consistent economic growth and development, especially of agricultural and craft activities, besides permiting noteworthy flourishing in the literary and artistic fields. The local scriptorium of St.Victoria produced one of the first documents in the Italian vulgate language, a poetical narration known as the Rhythm of St. Alexis (Ritmo di Sant'Alessio), today kept by Ascoli Communal Library. This text is considered one of the first works written in the Italian language.
Of the monastery and the castle, destroyed in 1771, what remains today is the Resurrezione Church (Chiesa della Resurrezione), set on the top of the hill, built to preserve the massive remains of the Cappellone and the Oratorio degli Innocenti.
The Collegiata Church of St.Vittoria, is a Neoclassic monument with a three naves and a Latin cross plan (1783-93). The crypt houses the sarcofago (tomb) of St.Vittoria, built in travertine stone, elegant example of 1400's sculpture. The lid shows, on its long side, images of the martyrdom of the Saint and of her fight against the dragon in the castle of Trebula.
Corso Matteotti, the main street of the town centre, with its stone and brick buildings, resembles a long square closed on one end by the stately Abbot Oderisio Tower (Torre di Palazzo dell'abate Oderisio), valuable example of a defensive tower, but also serving as a civic tower with its clock perfectly integrated in the urban scene.
St. Agostino church (Chiesa di S. Agostino), built in the XIIIth century and totally reshaped in Neoclassic style, houses in the annexed convent the seat of the Town Hall, which presents an elegant cloister dating from the 1400's.
Among the many local festivals we must remember the Canestrelle Festival (sfilata delle Canestrelle): performed every August throughout the main streets of the town, it is a delightful revival of old farmers' life with participants dressed in 1800's costumes.
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