Chiesa Maria SS. Annunziata di Pietradefusi

The Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata (Holy Mary of the Annunciation) in Pietradefusi is located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Located in the heart of the Irpinian town, it was built in 1728 by Cardinal Nicolò Coscia, Vicar of Cardinal Orsini (Pope Benedict XIII) in Benevento and Rome, on the ruins of the demolished Vicarial Church, out of love for his native land. Partially damaged due to the passage of French soldiers in 1799, it was rebuilt in 1827. Further renovations were necessary after the terrible earthquake of 23 November, 1980; the religious building underwent a series of restorations and embellishments, thanks in part to the will of a very faithful and devoted community.

Today, the Church still preserves its sixteenth-century façade, high and majestic overlooking the square: plastered and simple, with its Baroque-style decorations of white pilasters, it has a beautiful doorway surmounted by a large window and is flanked by a bell tower from 1630, which was rebuilt in 1781 and in 1933. The structure has a Greek cross plan with three apses; the main apse has a domed vault and houses the main altar, entirely made of Carrara marble and other floral marbles, surmounted by an oil on canvas depicting the Holy Mary of the Annunciation. In addition, the religious building also reflects another important form of worship, that of San Faustino the Martyr: in fact, in addition to preserving his relics, the Church of the Santissima Annunziata also houses an altar dedicated to this patron saint, dated 1916. Finally, the magnificent pipe organ from 1888, recently restored and inaugurated in 2008 with a solemn ceremony, is worthy of mention.

A symbol of great faith and a sense of community, the Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata represents not only a sublime place of devotion, but also of remembrance of the noble Coscia family, whose coat of arms can be seen on the left pilaster of the imposing façade.