Church of San Michele Arcangelo

The patron saint of the hamlet of Brugnetto is s. Ubaldo (third Sunday in May), while the owner of the church is s. Michele Arcangelo (29 September). The ancient centre of the Brugnetto certainly has a small church since the early Middle Ages. A second building was built around 1500 further from the river, due to the danger caused by the continuous flooding. Bishop Ridolfi found the church in 1594 and decided to rebuild it. This construction survives for two hundred years, until in 1789 Count Angelo Antonelli promotes the construction of the current parish. Damaged by the earthquake of 1930, it was restored for papal munificence, as well as the annexed rectory. Inside the church is highlighted the altarpiece depicting S. Michele. The canvas is a valuable copy of an unknown author, a replica of the famous painting by Guido Reni. In the chapel on the left there is an altarpiece, by an anonymous author, depicting the Crucifix: the intensely tortured face of the Redeemer and the dark background, illuminated by a reddish sun, bring back to the atmosphere of the late eighteenth century. The painting of Our Lady of the Rosary, placed in the right side chapel, deserves particular attention. At the top it represents the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary; at the bottom left there is the figure of S. Ubaldo Vescovo, who with his eyes implores blessing for the village of Brugnetto, represented near the pastoral; right knee is depicted s. Francis. Around the painting there are 15 medallions representing the mysteries of the Rosary: the biblical scenes, of splendid workmanship and of harmonious calm colours, compose the history of salvation. The style is that of the Viterbo Domenico Corvi (1721-1803) or an expert disciple. Of particular artistic and spiritual interest is also the small painting depicting the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, placed on the right altar, humble and tender image of Mary that the community has always appreciated.