Church of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Church is located in the center of the Great Court of the medieval Fortress of  Castrocaro. However, the year of construction of the sacred building is unknown. Perhaps it was the ancient ecclesia Sancta Maria de Rocha, mentioned in an earlier document, in 1282, when it was the seat of a  political council. According to a second document from 1461, the church is unused for worship, abandoned in desolate ruin and covered in vegetation. The building was recently restored  by the Pro-Loco Association and thus reopened to the public. The external walls are made of reclaimed materials (terracotta bricks, spungone ashlars and river stones) that allow the building to blend perfectly with its rough environment. The roof has two waters, with an elegant bell gable. The small interior is divided into three parts: the hall, the apse and the sacristy. The courtroom consists of an entrance hall and the hall itself. The vestibule is adorned on the sides with pairs of pilasters and  entablature, which support the barrel vault, part of which remains. The hall features the golden measures: square base on which stands the cube surmounted by a round cross, trace of which still remains. Between the two right pilasters is the entrance to the sacristy. The back wall, on which the altar supported by a small vault rests, is decorated in stucco with Renaissance elements in green and amaranth red. An interesting detail is the beautiful, original terracotta floor. In the altarpiece there is a beautiful painting of St Barbara from the mid-19th century. A wooden Christ from the 16th century is also worth seeing. The furnishings and liturgical components are from the 18th century.

Winter opening hours: Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday and holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 19:00

Directions: Medieval village of Castrocaro.