The church of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Lanciano’s medieval Civitanova quarter, is notable for its Gothic façade and the celebrated main portal carved by master Francesco Petrini in 1317. The lunette, which bears an inscription with the author’s name and date, depicts the Crucifixion and remains one of the finest examples of 14th-century decorative sculpture in Abruzzo.
Origin and curiosities
The portal dates back to 1317: the lunette inscription attributes the work to Francesco Petrini (also recorded in sources as Perrini/Prini) and the year of execution. Despite constraints of the pre-existing façade, Petrini produced a deeply splayed portal with rich ornamentation, inaugurating a local decorative school noted for its elaborate detail, sculptural expressiveness, and technical virtuosity — an influence visible in other monuments across Lanciano and neighbouring areas.
What to see (formal and iconographic details)
- The lunette with the Crucifixion: the sculpted group shows Christ flanked by the Virgin and John the Baptist, rendered with expressive modelling.
- Splayed recess and ogival arches: the pronounced splayed opening and ogival arches beneath the triangular pediment are outstanding examples of Petrini’s decorative skill.
- Biforas and rose window: flanking biforas and a rose window with concentric rings and radiating colonnettes complete the façade’s Gothic harmony.
Best time to visit
The church and portal are open year-round; for best viewing of sculptural details, visit in full daylight (morning or early afternoon). Local guided tours and cultural events organized by the municipality or heritage associations offer deeper historical context.
How to get there
🚶 On foot: located in the historic center of Lanciano (Civitanova district), the site is reachable by a short stroll from the main square.
🚗 By car: Lanciano is accessible from main regional roads; park in public parking areas and continue on foot to the medieval core. Check local tourist resources for practical visitor information.
Why visit it
Francesco Petrini’s portal is a cultural document showing the transition between Romanesque and Gothic idioms in Abruzzo, the sculptural mastery of local workshops, and Lanciano’s importance as a medieval urban center. Viewing the portal connects visitors to the region’s artistic history and to the tangible marks of a preserved communal heritage.
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