Church of Sant’Anna dei Pompetti, Teramo

The small brick church is what remains of the initial part, perhaps an atrium, of the ancient cathedral of Santa Maria Aprutiensis, founded in the 6th century on Roman preexistences, rebuilt in the 12th century, and nearly demolished in 1155 by Roberto di Loretello. The exterior reveals large bricked-up arches on the side, while the interior, significantly lower than the street level, is marked by low pillars that support ribbed vaults also made of bricks. Among the preserved paintings, a Majesty between two saints by Giacomo da Campli, active in the Teramo and Ascoli Piceno area in the second half of the 15th century. The extensive excavations next to the church have uncovered the plan of the ancient cathedral, with three naves and a final circular apse.