Santa Maria sopra Minerva (Assisi, Italy)

 church, interesting place, Roman Catholic church

Santa Maria sopra Minerva, like the church of the same name in Rome, is a Parish church dedicated to Mary built over top of a Roman temple to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.
Parts of the Roman temple, which dates from the time of Augustus (63 BC-AD 14), still remain.In the early 3rd century the first Christian martyrs in the region were condemned in the Tribunal courts in front of its silent columns.
By the late 4th and 5th centuries, paganism was basically outlawed and the Temple of Minerva was abandoned.
Benedictine monks restored the building, consecrated it and made use of it. The divided the interior into two floors, creating living spaces in the upper part and the church of San Donato in the lower part.
In the years 1527-1530, the magistrates of Assisi ordered restoration projects to be undertaken.
Then, in 1539, Pope Paolo III, making a visit to Assisi, ordered the building to be completely restored and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, queen of true wisdom.
The temple then took the name of Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva (St. Mary over Minerva).
In 1613, the bishop of Assisi donated Santa Maria sopra Minerva to the Friars of the 'Third Order Regular' of St. Francis, who conducted regular services and undertook several restorations,. The TOR Friars are still located here and celebrate regular Services.
(Closed 2-5:15 PM Tues. and Fri.)
Francescani TOR
Convento S. Antonio •
Via San Paolo, 2 •
06081 ASSISI PG ITALY
Telefono: +39-075-812268