The Parish Church of Santa Maria of the Assumption is one of the most significant religious buildings in Pereta, a hamlet of Magliano in Tuscany. Its construction dates back to the 15th century, a period when the village was experiencing a moment of particular strategic and cultural importance. Despite the many changes it underwent in the following centuries, the parish church retains intact its austere charm and elegance typical of medieval sacred architecture.
On the outside, the church is distinguished by its characteristic gabled facade, simple but harmonious, topped by a notched crowning that accentuates its verticality. The entrance portal, framed by a round arch, is embellished with a cornice decorated with floral motifs, a detail that gives grace and movement to the facade. In the center stands a beautiful rose window, which lets soft light filter into the interior and becomes one of the most recognizable elements of the building.
Another distinctive element is the bell tower with a pentagonal plan, an unusual shape that makes it immediately recognizable and contributes to the church’s unique profile in the panorama of the village.
The interior of the parish church has a single nave, bare and simple, capable of conveying an atmosphere of recollection and spirituality, emphasized by the light that penetrates from the rose window and side windows. Although the original furnishings have been partly lost or replaced during restoration, the architectural structure continues to tell the long story of faith and devotion that has spanned the centuries.
The Parish Church of Santa Maria of the Assumption is not only a place of worship, but also a precious testimony to the medieval art and history of Pereta, a must-see for those who wish to immerse themselves in the culture and authentic soul of the Tuscan Maremma.
Photo by Marco Bojocchi/flickr