La Crypt of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built around the year 1000, after a long period of religious activity, began to be neglected and fell into disuse in the 15th century. Centuries of neglect followed. In 1929, during an excavation, it was accidentally rediscovered and restored, thus regaining its original appearance. However, the widespread and incurable dampness of the walls and the imminent threat of mold made it necessary to detach the frescoes, which were taken from their original location and brought to the Central Institute of Restoration in Rome. Restored and exhibited in a series of exhibitions, the frescoes returned to their homeland, Poggiardo, where they found a worthy place in a museum, created by the will of the then Mayor Raffaele Pascarito, located in the Municipal Villa in Piazza G. Episcopo, and inaugurated on June 12, 1975. The crypt, meticulously and faithfully restored, has finally been returned to its ancient splendor also thanks to the installation, in the original sites, of artistic and durable copies made of fireproof polystyrene of the original paintings. Today it is therefore possible, in addition to admiring the restored original frescoes, preserved in the modern museum of the Municipal Villa, also to visit the ancient Crypt, with the valuable copies, in Via Don Minzoni.
Information about the Museum of the Frescoes of the Crypt of S.Maria degli Angeli
Piazza Episcopio,
7303 Poggiardo (Lecce)
0836909812
segreteriagenerale@poggiardo.com
https://www.poggiardo.com
Source: MIBACT
