Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli

The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Saint Mary of the Angels) is situated in Via Guglielmo Marconi, Chiusano di San Domenico.

This ancient place of worship was originally built in the 13th century, during the time of Pope Gregory IX and the years immediately following the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, by a mission of Franciscan monks sent to Irpinia. The friars’ noble work for the local community led them to build a monastery, and their presence also influenced the local names for some of the mountains surrounding the town, such as “a ria re li monaci” or “Toppolo del Monaco”, names still used today. A few centuries later the Church underwent restoration works, when it took on its current structure and size, and assumed the role of Mother Church of Chiusano di San Domenico. 

Today, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli has an imposing if somewhat austere façade, expressing the sacred nature of this site, surmounted by an equally imposing stone bell tower. The interior has a nave, two aisles and a Latin cross floor plan with a dome at the central point. It extends for a length of 30 m, and is 10 m wide. 
Inside the Church there are nine exquisite paintings and sixteen statues made by highly skilled sculptors, works of art that give quality and style to this religious building.

Over the years, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli has maintained its important function of steadfast moral authority, influencing the artistic talents of the architects, sculptors and painters who have made their contribution to the community.