3. DESCRIPTION
Located on the place where there was a
temple to Venus conciliatory, the church
and monastery of San Giovanni in Venere
dates back to the eighth century. The
current buildings derive from the works
of reconstruction that took place in the
eleventh and in particular in the twelfth
century (1165) under the guidance of
Oderisio II.
4. From the square in front of the apse you
can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Gulf
of Venus and of the southward Abruzzo
coast
The rear front is dominated by the three
cylinders of the apses, divided horizontally in
two by a framed lozenge.
5. The lower part of the wall
roughcast is marked by large blind
arches.
In the spaces between the band and
diamond arches are medallions with
geometric designs made with inlays of
stone and marble.
6. The cylinders of the apses are crowned by a
complex frame.
A band of tuff arches with the concavities filled
with rosettes, crosses and palmettes crown
the slopes of the central nave.
9. The right side features a simple marble portal
that lies on the ocher walls of the nave.
10. In the lunette statues of an angel and the
Virgin and Child.
The front double salient structure, whose
upper part has been redone, is dominated by a
large portal that stands out for its white
marble reliefs.
11. The portal
The bezel houses the statues of
Christ Enthroned between the
Virgin and St. John.
12. Some ruins that include various Saints.
Beautiful leafed capitals decorate the piers and
the lateral columns of the portal.
13. The sides of the piers; in the
lunette are placed rich
sculptures dating back to
1230.
14. The main scenes are related to events in the
life of the Baptist.
15. More plastic effects can be found in some
reliefs .
On the left of the frame portal there is a niche.
16. On the left side of the church a doorway leads
to the cloister.
17. The bezel has a relief with a complex geometrical pattern.
18. The cloister, consisting of open galleries with
triple lancet windows and columns with capital
crutches, was largely rebuilt at the beginning
of 900.
19. The interior has a
nave and two aisles
with large
quadrangular- based
pillars.
20. The nave opens through a triumphal arch on
the large presbytery which raises over the
crypt.
The crypt lies in the area below the sanctuary
and consists of columns covered by vaults.
22. Description
The murals of the Abbey Church of San Giovanni in Venere are concentrated in the
apses of the crypt. In the Central apse we have two paintings: in the front is the Christ
in Majesty flanked by Saints Benedict and John the Baptist.
23. Virgin and Child enthroned between S. Michael
and S. Nicholas of Bari
On the right wall there is a panel with the Virgin and Child enthroned between
the Archangel Michael and St Nicholas of Bari. The painting takes place on the
front wall on the sides of the window. At the top, above the double lancet
window, lies the Christ supported by two angels. Sitting on the Arch of heaven,
with his right hand He blesses the world and with the left one He claims the
Gospel open on some verses by St. John.
25. Description
Virgin and Child enthroned. On the right wall of the Central apse is a single panel
depicting the Madonna with child, flanked by the Archangel Michael and St Nicholas of
Bari. The Virgin sits on a throne and is bended towards Her Child. St. Nicholas, dressed
as a Bishop, is wearing a white tunic and a turban and with his left hand is holding the
pastoral. The Archangel Gabriel is located on the left side of the Virgin showing
decorative motifs that are already present in the Holy Bishop, wearing a rich robe like a
great dignitary At his feet is the figure of the donor, here depicted on his knees.
