Sant'Eufemia Church, Spoleto
West facade of Sant'Euphemia Church. Photo by Nicola Losito.
East end of Sant'Eufemia, with tall apses. Photo by Tehmina Goskar.
Interior of Sant'Eufemia. Photo © Bella Umbria.
Women's gallery over the left aisle in Sant'Eufemia. Photo © Bill Thayer.
The Church of Sant'Eufemia is the most celebrated of the numerous Romanesque churches in Spoleto. Built in the 12th century over a Lombard palace and overlooking the Piazza del Duomo, Sant'Eufemia is famed for its unique women's galleries high above the nave.
History
Sant'Eufemia was built in the 12th century on the site of an 8th-century Lombard ducal palace, using remains of both the palace and earlier Roman monuments as materials.
What to See
The east end of Sant'Eufemia can be seen from the stairs leading down to the Piazza del Duomo. Its unique interior design can be seen in the three tall apses that protrude from this end of the building. The west facade, at the entrance to the church, has a single central portal.
There is very little decoration on the exterior or interior, save for some small hanging arches beneath the eaves. The interior is barely lit by the narrow, slit-like Romanesque windows.
The highlight of the church is the interior architecture, with two-story side aisles and tall apses that stretch the full height of the church. The arched galleries above the side aisles were used to segregate women from the men, who worshiped in the main nave below. This configuration is the only one of its kind in Umbria.
Other notable details include a blue-hued mural high up in the apse and the mismatched columns of the nave, two of which are carved with distinctive Lombard motifs.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Basilica di S.Eufemia; Chiesa di Sant'Eufemia |
| Type of site: | Parish church |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Status: | Active |
| Dates: | 12th century |
| Architecture: | Romanesque |
| Location: | Near the Duomo, Spoleto, Umbria, Italy |
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of Sant'Eufemia. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Spoleto Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- The Rough Guide to Italy 7 (May 2005), 651-52.
- St. Eufemia Church - Bella Umbria
More Information
- Museo Diocesano e Basilica di Santa Eufemia - Musei Ecclesiastici Umbri
