Municipal Palace – Villa Varano

Municipal Palace – Villa Varano

Municipal Palace – Villa Varano

info@comune.esanatoglia.mc.it
+39 0737 889132
Piazza Giacomo Leopardi 1, Esanatoglia
  • Everyday 10.30-13.00
  • Also Wednesday afternoon 15.30–18.30

Local historiography has identified the ancient Villa Varano in the current seat of the Town Hall.

The construction dates back to the 14th century and it was the residence of the Da Varano family until 1502. From 1510 to 1590 it housed the papal administration and later, the municipal seat. Since 1604, the South wing, renovated and enlarged, is occupied by a Franciscan convent and its church.

 

Ancient frescoes Villa Varano

In the attic of the villa was found a pictorial cycle with a chivalrous subject, dating back to the second half of the 15th century, depicting Julius Caesar Da Varano with other members of the ducal family. The paintings have been attributed to the Master of the castle of Beldiletto , that belonged to the Da Varano. Also the paintings of the Belvedere loggia depicting a view of the Castrum and scenes of hunting and countryside are attributed to him. 15th century

Inside Villa Varano there is a fresco titled “The angel of peace“. The main subject of the painting, the archangel Michael, was attested for the first time in a notarial act issued in 1502, to which popular piety recognizes among other things the role of peacemaker among the contenders. In 2020 the fresco was named “Opera di Pace” of the Marche region.

 

The Angel of Peace

 

The painting “The Angel of Peace” in Esanatoglia is the third “Opera di Pace of the Marche region”, after the San Francesco of the church of San Tossano in Agolla and the 15th-century portal with Hebrew, Greek and Latin writings of the basilica of San Venanzio in Camerino.

The officialization of the recognition took place on September 9, in the council chamber of the small town of Macerata, with a ceremony as part of the VIII edition of “If you want peace work for peace”, the event organized by the University for Peace with the aim of promoting a more peaceful and just culture.

The main subject of the painting, the archangel Michael, was attested for the first time in a notarial act issued in 1502, to which popular piety recognizes among other things the role of peacemaker among the contenders. In the canvas there are also other themes that allude to personal or social disputes.

 

Municipal Theater

In 1776 work began for the realization of a theater that occupies the northern wing of the structure. It was completely renovated after the 1997 earthquake, and it still is a cultural and social meeting point.

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