Church of San Martino

The church of Valpromaro has ancient origins, probably even preceding the first official document that refers to it dated 1101, in which the building is included under the dependencies of the parish church of San Macario with the dedication to San Martino. The church did not undergo particular upheavals until the second half of the 19th century when expansion works carried out in the period between 1863 and 1871 are documented. Thanks to what is reported in the report of the pastoral visit of 1726, '(…) with a single nave (…) ancient and with straight walls', it is possible to deduce that the layout of the church was a simple rectangular plan. The current shape, rectangular plan with semicircular apse is, in all probability, the result of the 19th century expansion. It is not possible to have a confirmation of these hypotheses by reading the wall facings as the external fronts are entirely plastered. The last intervention on the church dates back to 2008 when the roof was renovated.

Plant
The church has a rectangular plan with a single nave and a semicircular apse.

Structural system
The structural system is in continuous load-bearing stone masonry and a wooden gable roof.

Coverings
The gable roof has a covering made of bricks with tiles and roof tiles.

Bell tower
The bell tower, a structure independent from the church, is positioned near the left side of the apse. The tower has a square plan with a single bell chamber open on four sides with an arched window and a pointed roof.

Prospectuses
The external fronts are entirely plastered and painted in pastel yellow. The façade has a hut shape with a centrally positioned entrance door framed by white marble slabs. At the corners there are two pilasters that support the mouldings of the trabeation and the tympanum; all these elements are highlighted as they are painted in light grey tones.

Decorative elements
The barrel vaults with lunettes are richly painted with floral motifs that vary from shades of blue to pink and yellow; the apse basin is instead characterised by a sacred scene.

Interior floors
The floor of the hall is made of concrete tiles with an optical pattern while the presbytery is covered with marble elements.