Bracciano is home to a remarkable religious heritage of great historical, artistic, and cultural value. Its churches reflect the presence of influential noble families such as the Orsini, the work of monastic orders, and the important role spirituality played in the daily life of the local community. Inside, visitors can admire frescoes, altars, and works of art dating from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque period, offering an itinerary that combines culture, architecture, and tradition. Visiting these places of worship reveals a lesser-known yet fascinating side of Bracciano, perfect for those wishing to explore the town’s rich history.
Below, discover the main churches of Bracciano.
Santo Stefano Cathedral
Santo Stefano Cathedral is Bracciano’s principal religious building and one of the must-see landmarks in the historic centre. Its origins date back to the 13th century, although it underwent several expansions and transformations over time before taking on its present Latin-cross layout during the second half of the 17th century. The exterior features a simple yet elegant façade, while the interior impresses visitors with its richly decorated altars, frescoes, and works of art that bear witness to the church’s long spiritual and cultural history. Among its finest treasures is the painting depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Stephen, created by the Modenese painter Giacomo Zoboli and donated by Duke Orsini in 1696.
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Originally part of a convent complex (which has served public purposes since 1873 following the suppression of the religious orders), the Church of Santa Maria Novella began to be built in the 15th century, with construction continuing over many years. Its interior is enriched with decorations and artworks that highlight the close relationship between the Orsini family and the religious orders active in the area. Among the most significant artistic features are the apse fresco depicting the Assumption of Mary by the Polish painter Taddeo Kuntze and the monumental high altar adorned with a beautifully inlaid antependium, created between 1692 and 1696 to a design by the architect Domenico Rainaldi.
Church of Santa Maria del Riposo
Located along Via del Lago, the Church of Santa Maria del Riposo, also known as the Church of Madonna del Riposo, is one of Bracciano’s most important historic monuments. Commissioned by the Orsini family, it was built during the 16th century on the site of an earlier chapel known as Santa Maria del Sasso, based on a design by the Florentine architect Giovanni Lippi, known as Nanni di Baccio Bigio. The interior is distinguished by remarkable frescoes attributed to the school of brothers Taddeo and Federico Zuccari, the same artists who had decorated several rooms of the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle a few years earlier. The two side chapels feature scenes of the Massacre of the Innocents (left) and the Assumption of the Virgin (right).
Church of San Lorenzo
About two kilometres from the historic centre, in the hamlet of Pisciarelli, stands the Church of San Lorenzo. It was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier church dedicated to Saint Peter. The main façade stands out for its imposing appearance, with Neoclassical elements that create a harmonious and balanced architectural composition. Inside, the single nave is flanked by four circular chapels, while the apse houses a 1745 fresco depicting the Assumption of the Virgin with Saints Lawrence and Francis, painted by the Viterbo artist Vincenzo Strigelli. Visiting this church also offers the opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of the Bracciano area, characterised by small villages, countryside landscapes, and centuries-old local traditions.
Other places of worship
Alongside the churches described above, Bracciano is home to several other places of worship that are smaller in scale but equally interesting. These include the Church of the Visitation, with its Neoclassical façade; the Church of San Sebastiano, which houses a valuable 1495 painting by Antonio Aquili, known as Antoniazzo Romano; the small Church of San Rocco, near the village of Castel Giuliano, with its simple rural architecture; and the 16th-century Church of the Misericordia.
If you wish to visit Bracciano’s most important churches and discover the town’s rich artistic and historical heritage, staying in the historic centre is the ideal choice for reaching all the main attractions with ease. Thanks to its privileged location, Albergo della Posta is the perfect starting point for exploring the medieval village, the Orsini-Odescalchi Castle, and Bracciano’s most significant religious landmarks, while enjoying an authentic experience on the shores of Lake Bracciano.
