Church of San Domenico

The Church of San Domenico is a church in Ancona, located in Piazza del Plebiscito, in the historical center of the city.

The church occupies one of the two short sides of the square, at the top of a large stairway.

SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN DOMENICO

For the construction of the current church, a pre-existing structure from the 13th century dedicated to the same saint was demolished.

The Church of San Domenico was designed by Carlo Marchionni in 1763, and the first stone was laid in 1771. The structure was completed in 1778, without a facade.

In 1798, with the French occupation and the advent of the Republic of Ancona, the church was used as a barracks. The upper part of the facade remained unfinished.

During the bombings of the Second World War, the church was damaged and the roof partially collapsed.

The venerated image of the Incoronata (Crowned), coming from the previous church and placed in a side chapel, was destroyed, as were two statues by Gioacchino Varlè and some paintings.

After the war, the church was restored and the destroyed statues and paintings were replaced by others. The church was reopened for worship in 1948.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF SAN DOMENICO

The facade of the church, in Istrian stone, is divided into five sectors and has two orders, of which only the lower one is completed.

The five sectors of the facade are separated by pilasters and semi-columns with Ionic capitals.

In the center of the facade, there is a large portal framed by Corinthian columns, with a thin architrave surmounted by a round broken tympanum.

The side portals are surmounted by oculi, and between them and the main portal are two empty niches.

The interior, of impressive dimensions, has a single nave and a barrel vault with lunettes.

ART OF THE CHURCH OF SAN DOMENICO

Inside, there are preserved important paintings, among which two masterpieces stand out – the Annunciation by Guercino and the Crucifixion by Titian.

The church has many sculptures by Gioacchino Varlè.

HOW TO GET TO THE CHURCH OF SAN DOMENICO

The Church of San Domenico is located about 2.1 kilometers away from the Ancona railway station. The closest bus stop is in Via Pizzecolli, about 200 meters away, on the bus Line 11.