Santa Maria della Visitazione, the sacred heart Subbiano

Life in the village of Subbiano flows peacefully around one of its main monuments, the Parish of Santa Maria della Visitazione. Not far from the Arno River and the village's other unique building, the Subbiano Castle, this church is not particularly large, which only accentuates even more its pleasant, intimate atmosphere.

The church was built in the early 13th century as an extension of the castle's old church, and was expanded between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The bell tower on the right side dates back to 1875, the front portico was added in the early 20th century, and the church took on its current appearance in 1947.

In the oldest chapel (now the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes) are two late Gothic frescoes (Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian) attributed to artists from Arezzo influenced by Piero della Francesca.

The "Coronation of Mary" in the apse and the "Deposition" above the entrance are by Giovanni Bassan (1930s-1940s).

A 17th-century wooden crucifix believed to be miraculous is on display, and under the portico is a marble monument by Arnaldo Zocchi dedicated to Don Lorenzo Boschi, founder of the Subbiano hospital.

Even before entering the parish church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, you can see one of its most iconic monuments. Beneath the triple-arched portico marking the entrance stands the monument to Don Lorenzo Boschi. The statue is dedicated to the founder of the Subbiano hospital and is the work of Florentine sculptor Arnaldo Zocchi.

Inside the church is a single nave. Above the entrance, you can admire a painting depicting the Deposition, while the apse vault depicts the Coronation of Mary. Both paintings are by the Venetian painter Giovanni Bassan.

Among the church's most important works is a 17th-century wooden crucifix with movable arms. Also located in the apse, it has long been cherished by the residents of Subbiano as it is believed to be miraculous.

As mentioned, the oldest part of the church of Santa Maria della Visitazione was originally the church of the Castle.

Mostly incorporated into the larger building, the old church still exists in some form and is today known as the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Inside this chapel, there are still fascinating traces linking it to its ancient past, such as the frescoes from the second half of the 15th century. The paintings depict Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian and are the remains of a larger pictorial cycle.

The artist is unknown, but the frescoes are an important testimony to the Arezzo school and the influence of Piero della Francesca, one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance.

The Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione is located on Via dell'Arcipretura and is very easy to reach.

If you arrive by car, you can park in the immediate vicinity of the historic center, in the public parking lot, and continue on foot with a pleasant walk of a few minutes.

If you travel by train, from the Subbiano station, you can reach the church with a walk of about five hundred meters, crossing the Arno River via the bridge on Via della Stazione and then following the signs towards the center.