The Church of Santa Maria del Piano

The Church of Santa Maria del Piano (or de Plano), flanked by its cloister, is one of the most significant monastic complexes in Basilicata.

Built in the first half of the 12th century by the Benedictines of Marsico, it has a basilica-style layout with three naves.

Access is through an elegant 13th-century stone portal, the work of the sculptor Melchiorre di Montalbano, decorated with Corinthian columns and capitals adorned with acanthus leaves; a second portal opens on the left side of the building. Behind the high altar is a fine wooden choir and a pipe organ (16th century).

The church preserves a pictorial heritage of great importance, with frescoes painted between 1190 and the 18th century and, above all, the precious gilded wooden statue of Santa Maria del Piano, dating from between 1240 and 1260, which is one of the most significant Marian works in the area.

Also of considerable interest is the cloister with barrel vaults frescoed by an unknown artist depicting scenes from the lives of St. Anthony and St. Francis dating back to a period between the 17th and 18th centuries. The name “Santa Maria del Piano” derives from the location of the complex: a plateau that forms the natural access to the village and marks the beginning of the Ischia valley, which opens towards the south-eastern side of Calvello.

Today, the convent continues to preserve artistic and spiritual treasures of great value, making the entire complex one of the highlights of Calvello's monumental heritage.