CLOSED FOR THE EARTHQUAKE of 30 October 2016
It is a typical Capuchin church, but it stands out for its elegance and simplicity either from the external or the internal sides. Church was founded when Capuchins came to Tolentino. Those priests, arrived in Tolentino in 1539, began the building on 1589 when the noble woman Laura Zampeschi, widow of Alessandro Parisani, gave part of her orchards to build the church that was consecrated in 1596. Only in 1926, Church took the name of new Parrocchia al SS. Crocifisso. Inside, the style is typical of the Capuchin origins, with a central naive and three side chapels and altars. The most interesting element is the major altar in carved wood that, together with the Tabernacle, is a creation of two Capuchine priests (1689). Among the main works, there is an interesting painting that represents “Noli me tangere” and a wooden cross where the Crocifisso and the Addolorata are represented. The altar-piece represents the Madonna con il Bambino in una gloria di Angeli tra S. Francesco e Sant’Andrea.
This work, due to its conditions, has unknown origins. In a letter to the Priors of Tolentino, in 1604, written by Lancillotto Mauruzi, the famous painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was recommended and it is for this reason that work is attributed to him.
