CHURCH OF THE CRUCIFIX
The Church of the Crucifix is located “extra castrum”, that is outside the walls of the Castle, and has changed its name several times over the centuries: at the beginning of the 17th century, it was called the Church of the Society of the Name of Jesus, towards the end of the 17th century Church of the Saint Name of God.
In a document dated 1718, which is part of a memorial to the controversy between the Sisters of the Convent of the Madonna delle Grazie and the Municipality, in which the Piazza della Vittoria is shown in three-dimensional forms, there is talk of the Church of the Crucifix. In a document from the early 19th century it takes the name of the Church of Death, as during funerals the bodies were placed there before being buried in the cemetery. The same document also mentions the presence of a Crucifix, presumably the Crucifix still present behind the main altar, a valuable wooden work of art by Bornoni (17th century).
The single nave houses, in its side altars, statues coming from churches of Montecarotto that no longer exist. Among the most significant are the statue of the Madonna of Loreto, attributed to the local Giglioni family of carvers, which came from the church of the same name (also known as the Church of Saint Joseph), and the statue of Saint Rocco, which once stood in the church dedicated to him.
A legend surrounds this place: it is said that the crucifix was destined for Arcevia, but during its transport, a storm forced the carriers to stop here. From that moment on, the sacred image never left the church, becoming a symbol of identity and faith for the entire community.
For info and activities of the Parish
www.parrocchiamontecarotto.it