What to see in the Marche, the temple of Valadier in Genga

Sitting right in a high mountain cave near Genga Marche, the Temple of Valadier stands out with its striking silhouette against the neoclassical rough square edges of the surrounding walls of the natural cave; as if the temple itself was looking a shelter inside the cave. In fact it was the local population that for hundreds of years has found refuge within the walls of these caves. Surely at least the tenth century, when the local people took refuge there to hide from looting and violent attacks than running around our peninsula. Remains of these acquaintances were found during the construction of the temple started in 1828 by Pope Leo XII, elected to the papal throne in 1823, aka Hannibal Girolamo Francesco Clemente Melchiorre Nicola Sermattei, and born in Genga, that all ' era was part of the Papal States. The church, covered with a lead roof, was built according to a plant-shaped octagonal. Inside originally was a Madonna and Child, carved by the workshop of Antonio Canova, which today has been moved to the Museum of Genga; in its place was installed a copy. Next to the temple is Santa Maria infra Saxa, a hermitage which is partly dug directly in the rocks, documented since 1029, which started as a cloistered monastery for Benedictine nuns. Not far from the temple of Valedier, are then the Frasassi, karst caves in the municipality of Genga, and lots of trails for hiking and meadows where to make a nice picnic; in short, an excellent destination for next Easter.