An enclosed order of Domenican nuns was introduced into Cagli in 1529 at the wish of the Bishop of Cagli, Cardinal
Cristoforo del Monte. A great deal of building work took place over the 18th Century to both monastery and church, including the creation of individual cells in 1758, the new refectory in 1762 and the closed
choir to the rear of the church. Further restoration work took place after the 1781 earthquake. In the medallion of the
tympanum over the entrance doorway a dog is carved in bas relief with a candle in its mouth. It stands as a reminder that the Domenicans were called "Domini canes", The Lord's Hounds.
The interior of the church was completely modified in 1746. The main altar was built by Francesco Fabbri to a design by Biagio Miniera of Ascoli Piceno and consecrated in 1749. The statues in the tympanum
represent Faith and Hope. The altar piece of The Madonna of the Rosary and Saint Dominic, which was painted by Gaetano Lapis in 1739 and taken away by Napoleonic troops, was returned to
its rightful place in 1998. To each side of the altar are statues of Saint Catherine of Siena (on the left) and Saint Rose of Lima. On the two marble side altars (1751) are the
paintings of The Miracle of Soriano (right), which has been visibly lengthened, and The Miracle of Saint Nicolas of Bari, painted by Gaetano Lapis in 1756. The four oval paintings, also by
Lapis, were commissioned in 1759. They depict The Allegories of the Fasts of Saint Nicholas of Bari, whose significance is explained in the descriptions beneath them. The elaborate painted wooden
gratings which close off the choir ware made around 1751 at the same time as those in the body of the church. text by Alberto Mazzacchera |
