The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also known as the Church of Blessed Stefano, stands as one of the most majestic and meaningful sacred sites in the Molise region. Its origins trace back to the 4th century, when a primitive church once stood on this ground. After its ruin, the site became the hermitage of Brother Stefano Corumano in the 11th century. Upon his death, the place became his tomb and later the crypt of a larger church built between the 11th and 12th centuries, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Romanesque architectural remnants from this period are still visible in the area.
The church’s transformation into a noble funeral chapel began with the De Capua family. Initially restored in the 14th century by Roberto De Capua, it underwent a complete architectural renovation in the 16th century under Bartolomeo III De Capua. He enlarged the nave, commissioned frescoes, built a new sacristy and façade, and changed its dedication to Santa Maria delle Grazie. It is believed that renowned architects such as Giovanni Donadio (called “Il Mormando”) and Francesco di Giorgio Martini were involved in the project.
The façade, built of finely carved stone, is flanked by Doric pilasters and topped with a triangular tympanum. A Latin inscription, carved into the frieze, honors Bartolomeo III for his restoration of the temple. The family coat of arms of Bartolomeo and his wife Aurelia Orsini appears prominently in two places.
Inside, the church consists of a single nave divided into two square sections by a large semicircular arch. The first section, connected to the historical court square, contains altars to St. Francis and St. Dominic, a uniquely shaped holy water stoup, and the entrance to the sacristy. The second section features the main altar and four sarcophagi housing the remains of Bartolomeo’s ancestors, including Queen Costanza of Chiaromonte. Bartolomeo himself is buried in the central tomb on the floor.
With its blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements, Santa Maria delle Grazie represents not only a place of devotion but a noble legacy carved in stone and spirit.