Parish Church of St. Maria in Chio
A church from the 18th century that stands near an ancient parish church
The ancient Parish Church of St. Maria in Chio, first mentioned in a document from 1063, is located in the Valdichiana Aretina, a few kilometers from Castiglion Fiorentino.
The parish church, in the past, must have been very important, as evidenced by the fact that eleven churches depended on it and that a hospital for the needy and wayfarers was attached to it.
It was probably originally located in a place near the present church called Gaggioleto.
The new construction was ordered by Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Tuscany in 1774.
The façade of the church is completely plastered and has a circular window above the entrance portal. The interior has a single nave with a high altar and two side altars.
The floor is red and black checkered, and the ceiling has exposed wooden beams.
The two side altars are decorated with canvases: on the right, Our Lady hands the Rosary to St. Dominic, with Baby Jesus facing St. Catherine in adoration; on the left, there is an image of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The apse, dating from the late 17th century, is located behind the high altar.
