Sant’Andrea Apostolo

After visiting Faieto, a small hamlet of Cortino (Teramo) located 630 meters above sea level, you come across a suggestive passage between ancient houses. The passage is characterized by a square vaulted arch supported by wooden beams and leads to the Church of S. Andrea Apostolo, located at the end of the route. This massive and austere church overlooks the valley of the Fiumicello stream, a tributary of the Tordino. Its roof is gabled and has a high bell tower, which was added at a later time and houses two bells of different sizes. The smallest bell was founded in 1890, while the largest bears an inscription celebrating Christ and the Madonna, as well as bearing the date 1550 and the name of Domenico Zotti, the builder. The construction of the church dates back to 1640, although the date 1519 can be read on a stone block relocated over the arch of the portal. Its ornaments come from an ancient Franciscan hospice that was located above the town. In 1880, the church was enlarged with the addition of the presbytery, which houses the main altar. The pre-existing side altar was left in its place and today houses an image of the Holy Family. Further restorations were carried out around the 1930s and on that occasion a granite balustrade was added to delimit the presbytery.