St. Peter Church

St. Peter Church, known locally as Chiesa di San Pietro, stands as a poignant reminder of Vasto's rich tapestry of history and culture. Although the church itself no longer stands in its entirety, the remaining architectural elements invite visitors to explore the echoes of its storied past.

The Historical Tapestry of St. Peter Church

Originally constructed in the 10th century, St. Peter Church was built upon the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Ceres. By 1047, it had become a possession of the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. The church was initially accompanied by a Benedictine monastery, which was abandoned in 1410. Throughout its history, the church endured numerous challenges, including Turkish raids in 1566, which prompted its first major renovations. Significant transformations occurred between the 18th and 19th centuries when the church adopted a neoclassical style and underwent extensive reconstruction to elevate its floor to street level.

The church's role in the community was deeply intertwined with local rivalries, notably with the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. In 1808, these tensions led to the suppression of its chapter and parish by decree of Joseph Bonaparte. The parish was only reestablished in 1915, underscoring its enduring significance to the local community.

The Architectural Grandeur of St. Peter Church

Although much of St. Peter Church was lost to a devastating landslide in 1956, its Romanesque portal from the 12th century remains a testament to its architectural splendor. This surviving element is adorned with a statue of the Madonna with Child and a bas-relief depicting the Deposition. The once-towering bell tower, which housed four bells, is another memory of its past. Today, the largest bell is positioned beside the portal, while others find refuge within the Church of Sant'Antonio and its bell tower.

The church's interior was once a marvel of ecclesiastical design, divided into three apsidal naves. The left nave housed significant chapels, each under the care of different confraternities. These included the Chapel of Purgatory or Pio Monte dei Morti, dating back to 1652, which preserved the statue of the Dead Christ, paraded during Holy Week, and the painting The Purgatory. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, expanded in the 19th century, contained Francesco Paolo Palizzi's The Blind Man of Jericho, now displayed at the Palazzo D'Avalos art gallery. The Chapel of St. John the Baptist, originally of the Sacrament, was refurbished in the 19th century and featured the altarpiece Ecce Agnus Dei by Filippo Palizzi, also housed at Palazzo D'Avalos.

The right nave's third altar displayed a 17th-century wooden crucifix, now placed in the apse of Sant'Antonio. The presbytery boasted a marble altar from 1789, flanked by niches containing statues of St. Peter, St. Paul, and the Risen Christ, which are now located in the choir of Sant'Antonio. A crypt dedicated to St. Expedite, completed in 1875, further enriched the church's spiritual and architectural heritage.

The Legacy and Current State of St. Peter Church

In the aftermath of the 1956 landslide, St. Peter Church faced inevitable demolition, which commenced in late 1959. The parish was subsequently relocated to the nearby Church of Sant'Antonio, along with several valuable liturgical items. Other artifacts were entrusted to private individuals, ensuring their preservation. Although plans were made to construct a new church, they were never realized, leaving the portal as the sole surviving element of this once-majestic place of worship.

Today, visitors to Vasto can still experience the enduring legacy of St. Peter Church through its remaining portal, a silent witness to centuries of history. Its intricate Romanesque design and the stories it holds continue to captivate those who stand before it, offering a glimpse into the past and the spiritual journey of the community it once served.

In conclusion, St. Peter Church, or Chiesa di San Pietro, is more than a remnant of history; it is a symbol of resilience and transformation. Its ruins whisper tales of devotion, conflict, and artistry, inviting all who visit to reflect on the enduring spirit of Vasto and its people.