Church San Giovanni Battista – Scapezzano

The construction of the Parish Church of Scapezzano, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, dates back to the late 18th century, when it was built on the site of an ancient church of medieval origin.

Of that ancient church we preserve a fragment of fresco, detached and repositioned where it was originally located, which represents the face of the Eternal Father with angels. It is a work of fine workmanship attributable to the school of Giovanni Santi, Raphael’s father.

On the first altar on the right we find a canvas by Lelio Leoncini, a painter from Arcevia, created in 1588, depicting the Immaculate Conception, with King David and Solomon. In the background a landscape with the symbols of Marian virtues.

Opposite, another canvas by Lelio Leoncini: Our Lady of the Rosary. She, depicted in the central part, distributes rosaries to Saint Catherine and Saint Dominic. All around the 15 panels of the Rosary crown. In the cymatium, the crowned Madonna.

Still on the right, we have a canvas by a contemporary artist, Bruno D’Arcevia, who painted this Saint Cecilia on commission from the then parish priest of Scapezzano.

Opposite, however, we have a detached fresco from the Archesina del Soccorso, depicting the Madonna and Child. Restored when it was detached and placed in this church for usability and safety reasons.

Entering, still on the left, we find the baptismal font with another work of art, also by Bruno D’Arcevia, depicting the Baptism of Jesus.

Continuing towards the apse, on the right we find the altar dedicated to Saint Philip Neri, patron saint of Scapezzano, while in front we have the altar of the Madonna della Speranza, with the painting depicting the Madonna and Child within a precious carved wooden frame.

At the connection point of the nave with the apse, however, we have two canvases by the same artist, Giovanni Anastasi di Senigallia, which represent, one the Adoration of the Shepherds and the other the Adoration of the Magi.

Inside the apse, however, we have three canvases: two, facing each other, come from the Church of Soccorso which is no longer accessible, one represents, the one on the right, the Madonna del Soccorso and on the left, instead, Saint Barbara and Saint Peter Martyr.

Instead, on the apse, in the center, we find a painting by Giovanni Galeotti, also a painter from Arcevia, which represents the sacrament of the Eucharist.