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Church of Santa Maria in Castello - Tarquinia (VT)

The church of Santa Maria is the most important medieval monument in Tarquinia.
It stands on a spur at the western end of the Tarquinia cliff, at the point where the castrum Corgnetum, the original nucleus of the medieval Corneto, once stood.
The construction of the church has a very complex history: the project began in 1121 and the location on which the building was to rise was a displaced and uninhabited area of ​​the city called Castrum Corgnetum.
The construction of the church had most likely been entrusted to various architects since on the jambs of the main portal there are inscriptions which mention Pietro di Ranuccio, Nicola di Ranuccio, Giovanni and Guittone who was the birthplace of Nicola.
We still do not have enough reliable information to confirm that these are the architects of the building, but it is known for sure that they contributed to the decorations.
The church was consecrated in 1207 by Innocent III, in the following years the interior furnishings were completed that allowed its use.
It was fully active until 1435 and restored several times until it was completely abandoned in 1567 with its deconsecration.
In 1867 the French troops, who came to Italy at the invitation of Pius IX, used the church as a stable. to learn more https://www.iluoghidelsilenzio.it/chiesa-di-santa-maria-in-castello-tarquinia-vt/nggallery/page/2