In the quiet village of Castelverrino lies a church that breaks the mold: the Mother Church of Saints Simon and Jude. Unusual in its layout, profound in its meaning, this church is more than a place of worship—it’s a visual litany of devotion. With a central plan and three naves, the church is designed around the presence of sacred statues, following a Byzantine-inspired principle: the more often the divine image is represented, the more potent its spiritual presence.
The result is a space dense with figures—Saint Rocco and the Virgin Mary above the main altar, another statue of Saint Rocco on a side altar, and Saint Lucia appearing on both lateral aisles. You’ll also find Saint Vincent Ferrer with a flaming head, Saint Michael crushing the devil, the sorrowful Virgin dressed in black, and the Madonna della Libera offering her open palms marked by a cross.
Above, the gallery hosts an ancient organ supported by intricately carved twisted wooden columns. The church
remained closed for 43 years, until its reopening in 2013 was celebrated with a deeply felt procession from the nearby chapel of the Madonna della Libera to the heart of the old village.
A hidden gem within the church is a 1934 painting by local artist Federico Pelorosso, portraying Saint Emidius, protector from earthquakes. Pelorosso, born deaf and mute, spent time in Argentina and was known for a remarkable gift: projecting images on a sheet and painting them instantly with uncanny precision.