In the Marches Region, San Marcello Monastery Splendor

A late eighteenth-century hilltop monastery near San Marcello in the Marches region is undergoing an astounding resurrection. And all thanks to the restoration skills of Pino’s team, Impresa Edile Giuseppe Alagna, on the job now for well over a year.

[lcaption]The draped facade of San Marcello, July 2016: restoration to begin[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Outside the gate, Pino views the placard authorizing their restoration of the monastery[/lcaption]

[lcaption]The tip of the monastery to be restored peeks out over the Marches countryside[/lcaption]

Over a century ago, a noble count of nearby Jesi, Conte Alessandro Franceschini, built the vast palazzo but after the premature deaths of their three small children, the devastated Conte and his wife decided to donate the edifice to the Passionist fathers. The monastery, Sacro Cuore di Montelatiere, later expanded thanks to the donations of il Conte and his wife who are buried in the chapel crypt with their three children.

[lcaption]Before 1997 earthquake damage, the family chapel[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Sacro Cuore di Montelatiere monastery, San Marcello (near Jesi, Marches region)[/lcaption]

Damaged by the 1997 earthquake, the monastero is resurrecting, thanks to the astounding work of Pino’s team.
Have a look:

[lcaption]Challenges ahead for Impresa Edile Giuseppe Alagna:[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Pino views a monastery corridor before restoration work starts[/lcaption]

[lcaption]…and months later, that same corridor restored[/lcaption]

Thanks to jaunts now and then with Pino to San Marcello, seeing the restoration work in progress has been fascinating. At times, friends, too, have joined us. Carol, thanks so much for the photos you took in November, 2016 when here with Craig.

Work nears completion now and here are Pino’s photos of late fall, 2017 restoration ….and good ones, if you consider he’s a builder, not a photographer!)

Scroll here to view Pino’s photos

[lcaption]Restoration splendor of the 19th-c San Marcello monastery, thanks to Pino’s team![/lcaption]

[lcaption]View from top of the bellower[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Inside the belltower[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Bronze bell of the late 19th-c.[/lcaption]

[lcaption]View from the scaffolding surrounding the cupola[/lcaption]

[lcaption]The Marches countryside sweeps out from San Marcello[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Cupola details[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Bellower, close to restoration[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Pino’s crew on the job[/lcaption]

Craig and Carol, a year ago, we all toasted a successful restoration project by Pino’s team. Time to come back now for a brindisi

[lcaption]November, 2016, a toast with Craig and Carol after our San Marcello visit[/lcaption]

[lcaption]On the job site[/lcaption]

[lcaption]In the monastery cellar (to be restored)[/lcaption]

Read about one of our favorite eating spots when in San Marcello
Read another note on one of our favorite marchigiano eating spots