Church of the Madonna della Libera in Cerreto Sannita

In the territory of Cerreto Sannita, the Church of the Madonna della Libera stands on the remains of the Samnite-Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Flora. It already appears in early 17th-century documents as Santa Maria della Libera in Campo de fiore; according to some historians it was enlarged as an ex voto after the plague of 1656. Almost destroyed by the 1688 earthquake, it was rebuilt by the end of the century.The building has a Latin-cross plan, three altars, niches with statuettes of saints and a dome with a panel of the Holy Spirit. On the high altar the 18th-century wooden statue of the Madonna is venerated, celebrated in July. We also like the two houses at the sides, once the hermit's home and a school. During recent works, remains of the old little church came to light.