The Abbey of San Biagio was a former

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

monastery located in a rural site in the village of

Piobbico Piobbico (Romagnol dialect, Romagnol: ''Piòbich'') is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Italy, Italian region Marche, located about west of Ancona and about southwest of Pesaro. Monte Nerone and the location ...

, within the limits of the commune of

Sarnano Sarnano is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Macerata in the Italy, Italian region Marche, located about southwest of Ancona and about southwest of Macerata. Sarnano borders the following municipalities: Amandola, Bolognola, Fiastra ...

, in the province of Macerata, region of

Marche Marche ( , ) is one of the twenty regions of Italy. In English, the region is sometimes referred to as The Marches ( ). The region is located in the central area of the country, bordered by Emilia-Romagna and the republic of San Marino to the ...

, Italy. Of the abbey, only the church, dedicated to St Blaise, and a small monastic apartment remain.

History

Originally the site had a chapel dedicated to ''Santa Maria inter rivoira'' (or between the rivers), since it was located between the rivers

Tenna was a after ''Enpō'' and before ''Jōkyō.'' This period spanned the years from September 1681 through February 1684. The reigning emperor was . Change of era * '': The new era name of ''Tenna'' (meaning "Heavenly Imperial Peace") was create ...

and Tennacola. A

Benedictine , image = Medalla San Benito.PNG , caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal , abbreviation = OSB , formation = , motto = (English: 'Pray and Work') , foun ...

abbey was founded in 1030, and consecrated in 1059. The dedication to St Blaise did not arise till the 15th century. The first two centuries of the abbey were prosperous, but it then fell into decline till it was abandoned by the mid-13th century. The Romanesque-style abbey church, built with local stone, has remained as a local oratory dedicated to the Virgin. It has a narrow nave leading to a flat apse wall with two narrow windows. The façade has a single high oculus with a rounded portal. The portal has an inscription from 1117, noting some repairs which appear to have reduced the size of the church. The apse and nave walls have fresco remnants from the 15th century, attributed respectively to

Giovanni di Corraduccio Giovanni di Corraduccio, also called Giovanni Mazaforte, (active circa 1404-1437) was an Italian painter of the Gothic style, active mainly in Umbria and Marche. He was born in Foligno. Based on documents, he is thought to have worked in Assisi ...

and

Matteo da Gualdo Matteo da Gualdo or Matteo di Pietro di Ser Bernardo (Gualdo Tadino, circa 1435-1440 - 1507) was an Italian painter, active in Gualdo Tadino, Nocera Umbra, and Assisi. Biography He likely trained under the painter from Foligno, Bartolomeo di To ...

. The crypt remains relatively intact, supported by sturdy simple columns.Cultural Tourism in the Province of Macerata
, entry on abbey, by Fondazione della Cassa di Risparmio della Provincia di Macerata.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biagio Piobbico 11th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Italy Religious buildings and structures completed in 1059 Romanesque architecture in le Marche

Benedictine monasteries in Italy