The Church of San Clemente is the main place of worship in the village of Latera, dating back to 1598. It was the only baptismal seat to which the churches of San Salvatore, San Pietro and Santa Maria a Mezzano belonged.
This has a typical Renaissance rose window on the outside, made of basalt stone, and inside there is a veritable riot of 18th-century columns, elegant capitals and a magnificent altarpiece. The present parish church was rebuilt with the encouragement of Dukes Mario and Ferrante Farnese.
The bell tower dates from 1789, designed by architect Ridolfi whose style is reminiscent of the Borrominian style.
The three-nave interior has 18th-century capitals, cornices and pillars.
In the nave is a splendid wooden coffered ceiling painted in the 17th century. The large altarpiece of the Roman school, painted in the first decade of the 19th century, depicts St. Clement in pontifical pose. On either side of the high altar are painted above the first co-patrons of Latera: St. Pancratius and St. Macarius.
Entering, on the right, is a canvas with Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Charles; followed by St. John Taken Off, Our Lady of the Rosary (attributed to Sienese painter E.Nasini), a crucifix on canvas and St. Angel the Martyr. On the left are St. Gregory VII of Sovana, an artistic carved wooden crucifix donated by the Farnese family of Latera in the 17th century and a depiction of the souls in purgatory.
Of considerable value is the baptistery, now a Eucharistic tabernacle, made of basalt stone that dates back to 1590 and was donated two years later by the Duke of Latera Mario Farnese to the Pievania.
A special mention goes to the organ, installed in 1799, above the main entrance knocker. Of the previous instrument, donated by Duke Pietro Farnese in 1626, it is only possible to admire the splendid and original gilded wooden sound box containing the new organ, built and refitted by Angelo Morettini in the late 1800s.*
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