www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall 11th Century Fresco found after earthquake

The fresco, in the church of San Pietro alla Collegiata at Rocca di Cambio - the highest of the Abruzzo mountain villages, at 1,500 metres above sea level - appeared when the earthquake which struck the region nearly two weeks ago shook the church, which lies at the top of the village, and the altar came away from wall.

“When we went in to check the damage we saw that the altar had moved, and behind the fallen plaster was the fresco,” Mr Pace said. “There was tremendous excitement, as you can imagine.”

He said the damaged fresco, which experts believe was painted by an unknown medieval master when the church was built, would be examined tomorrow by art conservationists from the Ministry of Culture in Rome.