Descrizione
The Church of Santa Maria Nuova, built in 1492 to a design by Baccio Pontelli, is a jewel of Renaissance architecture situated in Orciano di Pesaro, in the Marche region of Italy. The interior of the church is described as understated and elegant, characterised by delicate white plasterwork and an intriguing interplay of blind and open oculi distributed across the dome and vaults. This creates a luminous and evocative atmosphere, accentuating the beauty of the interior spaces.
However, what strikes visitors most is the church’s entrance. The portal, carved from white stone, takes the form of a tabernacle, with two fluted columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals and embellished with exquisite bas-relief friezes. This portal conveys a sense of majesty and nobility, evoking the atmosphere of ancient Greek temples.
It is interesting to note that some sources have attributed the design of this portal to the famous Renaissance artist Raphael. However, there are no historical documents to confirm this hypothesis. This suggestion may stem from the similarity in style between the portal and some of Raphael’s works, or it may be the result of local legends.
In any case, the portal of the Church of Santa Maria Nuova is undoubtedly one of its most extraordinary features, adding a touch of grandeur and beauty to the building and confirming its status as a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture in the Marche region.
