In the heart of Civitanova del Sannio stands the Church of San Silvestro Papa, one of the main places of worship of the country and authentic treasure trove of history and sacred art. The building, located between the ancient houses of the village, stands out for its imposing structure with three naves, without transept, with side aisles vaulted and an elegant central nave covered by a wooden coffered ceiling, decorated with false stucco and friezes.
The church, originally built in the eleventh century, has undergone numerous extensions and restorations over the centuries, including that of 1569, which led to its rededication by the bishop of Trivento, Alfonso Mariconda. A major extension dates back to 1911, with the addition of the apse and new aisles. The facade is preceded by a spectacular staircase in stone with symmetrical ramps, protected by a solid balustrade. The large central portal, elegantly framed, leads the eye to the upper window, while the tower bell flanks the building, integrating perfectly into the surrounding mountain landscape.
Inside the church offers a spacious and richly decorated environment. The walls and vaults house a vast pictorial cycle executed by the local painter Vincenzo Colecchia, inspired by the popular sacred iconography of the time, such as the illustrations by Gustave Doré. The entire cycle, made with oil on wall technique, reflects the deep devotion of the artist, linked by affection to the archpriest Emilio Battista, also commemorated in one of the two tombstones placed under the chancel. The paintings have been partially restored by fellow citizen Cipriano Antonio, although the environment suffers from a certain decorative redundancy that weighs down reading.
The apse, added in the twentieth century, houses a statue of the Assumption in polychrome plaster, made by Silverio Giovannitti di Oratino and later painted by Emilio Labbate. On the facade, a modern painting on sheet metal depicts the Immaculate between the co-patrons San Silvestro Papa and San Bernardino da Siena.
The church represents a perfect balance between architectural rigour and baroque decorative inspiration, a place that tells the spiritual and artistic history of a community deeply linked to its faith and its territory.