The Church of Santa Maria di Piazza in Pergola is one of the oldest and most evocative buildings in the area, linked to the very origins of the town. According to tradition, in fact, the church predates the foundation of Pergola and gave its name to the village, having originally been dedicated to Santa Maria della Pergola. It is also said that it was founded by Saint Romuald in the early 11th century and that it was dependent on the Abbey of Sitria, an important monastic centre situated between Mount Catria and Isola Fossara.

Over the centuries, the building has undergone various alterations, but one of the most significant moments for our understanding of it is linked to the restoration work following the 1997 earthquake. During this work, behind the high altar, important fragments of paintings previously hidden were brought to light.

In particular, a large fresco emerged, consisting of two distinct parts: the left section, attributable to the Giotto school and dating from the late 14th century, and the right section, created several decades later by artists from the Venetian school, whilst retaining the stylistic characteristics of the 14th-century tradition.

These discoveries have restored the church’s value, making it a precious artistic and historical testament, capable of recounting Pergola’s medieval roots and the central role of Marian devotion in the development of the area.