Chiesa parrocchiale di S. Giovanni Battista

La Chiesa Parrocchiale fu voluta ed edificata dalla popolazione tra il 1717 ed il 1726 quando il 29 maggio fu consacrata e dedicata a San Giovanni Battista, patrono del paese. L’edifico è a navata unica e risente dell’influenza che la cosiddetta “ Accademia d’Arcadia” esercitò su gran parte dell’architettura sviluppatasi tra la fine del seicento e la prima metà del settecento, soprattutto nel centro Italia. Da segnalare la tela dell’altare maggiore, opera di Francesco Guerrini, datata 1756, che raffigura la nascita del Battista con la Vergine ed ai lati Santa Elisabetta e San Zaccaria. Degno di attenzione è il dipinto murale del battistero, di autore ignoto, raffigurante il battesimo del Cristo con lo sfondo del paese come era nel 1865. Di rilievo l’acquasantiera di peperino posta all’entrata di destra, proveniente dalla prima Chiesa sorta in paese, in cui si notano lo stemma degli Anguillara ed il basamento datato 1563. Sulla parte superiore del portale principale è custodito un pregevole e funzionante organo a canne del 1797. L’altare maggiore presenta una scultura in bassorilievo, opera dell’artista Antonio Fabbri, raffigurante il martirio di San Giovanni Battista.

 

Saint John the Baptist Parish Church          -english version-

It was thanks to the desire and will of the population that the parish church was idealized and built.  This took place between 1717 and 29 May 1726 when the church was consecrated and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, patron Saint of the city. The construction has a single central nave and clearly reflects the influence which the so called “Accademia d’Arcadia” had on a great part of the architecture which was developing in central Italy between the end of the 17^th century ( the “Seicento”)  and the first half of the 18^th century (the “Settecento”).       The oil on canvas above the main altar, painted by Francesco Guerrini and dated 1756, represents the birth of John the Baptist with the Virgin Mary and Saint Elizabeth and Saint Zachary on either side. Worthy of note is the fresco in the baptistery painted by an unknown artist and depicting the Baptism of Christ with the town of Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia as it was in 1865 in the background.  Of great importance is the holy water font carved out of peperino (volcanic stone) situated on the right of the entrance way, which comes from the first church which was built in the town.  Here we can see the family shield of the Anguillara Familily  and the date 1563 sculpted in the stone. A remarkably valuable pipe organ can be found above the main entrance.  The organ, which dates back to 1797, is still in perfect working condition.  The main altar is adorned with a bas-relief representing the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist which was done by the artist Antonio Fabbri.

Villa San Giovanni inTuscia -  Resti Romani nel centro storico