The church and the convent named after Santa Maria delle Grazie are situated on a hill, 2 km away from the city. The complex was built as a votive offering by Giovanni della Rovere after the longed-for birth of a male heir. Francesco Maria was finally born on 25 March 1490 on the day of Annunciation, as witnessed by a small stone relief that can be found above the entrance to the courtyard.
Inside the church, behind the altar, you can admire one of the most important artworks in the territory of Senigallia: “Madonna con Santi” (Virgin with Saints) by Perugino. The painting, which approximately dates back to 1490, depicts the Virgin with Baby Jesus accompanied by six saints: St. John the Baptist, St. Louis, St. Francis, St. Peter, St. Paul and St. James.
As the plaque says, Giovanni della Rovere was buried in the church in 1501. Before being transferred to “Galleria Nazionale delle Marche” in Urbino, also the “Madonna di Senigallia” by Piero della Francesca used to be exhibited here.
Today, a wing of the convent hosts the “Museo di storia della mezzadria” (Sharecropping Museum) created in 1978 by Sergio Anselmi, which shows the everyday life and work of people in the Marche countryside in the first half of the Twentieth century.
Feel Senigallia will remind you what to do and what exciting news is in the city (and surrounding areas).
