Cathedral Basilica of St. Venantius, Fabriano, Italy

The interior of the cathedral follows a Latin cross plan with a single nave, which is illuminated by large rectangular windows and covered by a ribbed vault. The nave is lined with ten rectangular side chapels, five on each side, each covered with a coffered barrel vault. These chapels, constructed as part of the 17th-century reconstruction, are richly decorated with religious artwork, predominantly from the same period. Each chapel contains its own altar and is separated by an ornate marble balustrade.

Among the chapels, the first chapel on the right houses a 17th-century copy of Michelangelo’s Vatican Pietà, placed at the altar. The side walls display two paintings by Salvator Rosa—one depicting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino in Glory, and the other showing Saint Jerome, created between 1635 and 1637. The third chapel features an ancient Madonna and Child, believed to be from the 14th century, though it has been heavily repainted. The fourth chapel on the right is particularly significant, with an altarpiece of Saint Philip Neri in Adoration of the Madonna and Child in Glory, painted by Giovan Francesco Guerrieri in 1629. It is flanked by two additional canvases depicting the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa and Saint Ignatius with another saint.

The two arms of the transept each contain a chapel—one dedicated to Saint John the Baptist (right transept) and the other to the Blessed Sacrament (left transept). Both chapels are adorned with frescoes by Giuseppe Bastiani, adding depth and visual splendor to these sacred spaces.

The presbytery, located within the deep apse, is elevated slightly above the nave. At its center stands the high altar, featuring intricate polychrome marble decorations. Behind the altar, an ancient crucifix is prominently displayed. Along the apse’s perimeter, wooden choir stalls and the bishop’s chair can be found, enhancing the cathedral’s sacred atmosphere. Over time, renovations in this area have concealed some of the 14th-century frescoes from the Fabriano school, though remnants of these historic artworks are still visible in sections of the older presbytery.

One of the most remarkable spaces within the cathedral is the Chapel of San Lorenzo, accessible through an opening in the wooden choir of the apse. This chapel is adorned with frescoes by Allegretto Nuzi, which narrate the Life of Saint Lawrence, based on the accounts of Jacopo da Varagine. Created around 1365, these frescoes include an additional masterpiece by Nuzi, a Madonna with Child and Saint Venantius.

Another significant space is the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which is divided into two rooms and accessed through the sacristy. The first room is decorated with frescoes by Giovanni di Corraduccio, depicting a Crucifixion and Saint Helen in Prayer. The second room contains works by the Master of San Verecondo, including the Martyrdom of Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Francis, with another Crucifixion by Allegretto Nuzi in the final section.

The left nave houses additional chapels, including the fifth chapel, which features stucco decorations on its vaulted ceiling. The altar displays an altarpiece by Claudio Ridolfi, illustrating the Madonna with Child, Saint Feliciano, and Saint Crispino. The chapel also contains stucco statues of the same saints, along with frescoes depicting the Martyrdom of Saint George and the Martyrdom of Saint Peter, though these have been heavily repainted over time.

One of the cathedral’s most significant artistic highlights is found in the Vallemani Chapel, also known as the Chapel of the Crucifix. Here, the renowned Orazio Gentileschi created an extraordinary decorative cycle between 1613 and 1616. The altar is adorned with his powerful Crucifixion with the Mourners and the Magdalene, complemented by stucco statues of prophets and a resurrected Christ above. The surrounding frescoes depict the Passion of Christ, including scenes such as The Prayer in the Garden and The Kiss of Judas. The chapel’s ceiling frescoes feature Christ crowned with thorns, the Eternal Father in Glory, and Christ being flagellated, creating a dramatic and immersive visual experience.