The Parish Church of Saint Biagio
Details
Archdiocese of Camerino and San Severino Marche
The original church in Muccia likely dates back to the 15th century. Some blocked openings and the bell tower, built by reusing an ancient tower from the town walls, still survive from this early structure.
In the 18th century, the parish church underwent renovation and enlargement; during this period, the nave was enhanced with the addition of pilasters, and the vault was constructed.
Between 1960 and 1969, the church and bell tower were structurally reinforced through the installation of metal tie rods in the sanctuary arch and the walls of the tower.
Damaged by the 1997 earthquake, the parish church was restored between 1999 and 2000, with adjustments made to comply with post-Vatican II liturgical regulations.
Exterior
The gabled façade of the church, facing northwest, is divided into two sections by a cornice. The lower section, decorated with lateral pilasters, features a centrally located entrance with a tympanum, while the upper section is marked by three round-arched windows and is crowned by a triangular pediment.
Adjacent to the parish church is the square-based bell tower, whose belfry has a single window (monofora) on each side and is topped with a four-sided roof.
Interior
The interior consists of a single nave divided into six bays, with small chapels containing minor altars opening onto it. The walls are articulated with Ionic pilasters supporting a molded cornice, above which rests the barrel vault decorated with lunettes. At the end of the nave lies the presbytery, enclosed by a square-shaped apse.
Within the church is a 15th-century carved statue depicting Saint Sebastian.
Gallery
Medium
Consequences of the 2016 Earthquake: The devastating earthquake that struck Central Italy in 2016 caused severe damage to the town of Muccia, including its parish church, San Biagio. (Big Celebration in Muccia: The New Church of San Biagio Inaugurated – The Bells Ring Once Again (PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO) – Picchio News – The Newspaper by the People, for the People). Since then, the historic church has been declared unfit for use, and emergency stabilization works have been carried out. As shown in the images, the church façade was reinforced with an external steel framework, while the bell tower was secured with steel bands and tie rods to prevent collapse. (Big Celebration in Muccia: The New Church of San Biagio Inaugurated – The Bells Ring Once Again (PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO) – Picchio News – The Newspaper by the People, for the People).
Structural assessments revealed that the bell tower is in critical condition, with a particularly unstable upper bell chamber. Inside the church, several elements—such as the tabernacle—were damaged and removed for safety. (Printable Summary Sheet). The tabernacle, in particular, was carefully recovered and stored in a safe location due to the cracks caused by the quake. (Printable Summary Sheet).
Following the closure of the historic church, the local community had to hold religious services in temporary facilities. Three years after the earthquake, a new temporary church was finally built. In October 2019, a 150-square-meter wooden and steel structure dedicated to San Biagio was inaugurated in the SAE (Emergency Housing Solutions) area of Pian di Giove. (A Church for Muccia After Three Years: “Finally, the Sound of Bells Again”). Donated by a consortium of companies, this new space allowed the bells to ring once again and restored a central place for religious life in the town—filling a profound void for the people of Muccia. (A Church for Muccia After Three Years: “Finally, the Sound of Bells Again”).
Meanwhile, the original San Biagio Church in the town square remains closed, awaiting restoration. Church authorities and cultural heritage agencies have initiated plans for its reconstruction and preservation, aiming to protect its artistic value and return it to the community. However, as of 2025, full structural repairs have not yet been completed, and the historic church still stands as a work-in-progress—a powerful symbol of Muccia’s rich cultural heritage and of the deep scars left by the 2016 earthquake.
Sources: Municipality of Muccia (Printable Summary Sheet) (Printable Summary Sheet); The Churches of the Italian Dioceses (CEI) (Printable Summary Sheet) (Printable Summary Sheet); Wikivoyage Muccia (Muccia - Wikivoyage, travel guide); Cronache Maceratesi (A Church for Muccia After Three Years: “Finally, the Sound of Bells Again”); Picchio News (Big Celebration in Muccia: The New Church of San Biagio Inaugurated – The Bells Ring Once Again (PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO) – Picchio News – The Newspaper by the People, for the People).
