Santa Cristina Church, known as the Mother Church of Sepino, is a treasure trove of history, art, and devotion. Although the exact founding date is unknown, it is first mentioned in documents from 1241, and is believed to date back to the 9th century, likely built as a private chapel for the nearby Castellum Saepinii. Over time, the church has undergone several reconstructions, especially after the devastating 1805 earthquake.
Externally, the church features a blend of medieval and Baroque elements. The main entrance portal, topped by Sepino’s coat of arms, dates to the 17th century. The bell tower, rebuilt in 1824, is topped with an unusual wrought-iron structure known as the “Buttiglione”, possibly unique in Italy.
Inside, the church has three naves divided by arches on decorated pillars. It houses an impressive artistic heritage, including five large ceiling paintings by Amedeo Trivisonno (1968), and eight dome paintings depicting the Doctors of the Church.
The presbytery contains a refined polychrome marble high altar. Along the side aisles are chapels dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, Saint Joseph, and Saint Charles Borromeo, featuring artworks, votive offerings, and relics.
A staircase at the back leads to the crypt, known as “La Grotta”, which enshrines a wooden statue of Saint Christina. The statue is carried in procession every 100 years, in a deeply felt local tradition. One of the most evocative spaces is the Carafa Chapel, or Treasure Chapel, which preserves the relic of Saint Christina’s arm and eight 17th-century silver reliquary busts.
Santa Cristina stands as the spiritual heart of Sepino, a monument to the enduring faith and cultural identity of the community.