San Fermo Maggiore, Romanesque and Gothic church near Ponte Navi, Verona, Italy.
San Fermo Maggiore is a church in Verona that combines two levels, each with distinct architectural styles: the upper church displays Gothic features while the lower structure retains Romanesque characteristics and medieval frescoes. The building is constructed from tuff and brick and stands near the Ponte Navi.
The church originates from 304 AD, when Saints Fermo and Rustico were martyred near the Adige River, a story shown in bronze reliefs. Over the centuries, the building underwent several reconstructions that gave it the distinctive two-level structure we see today.
The upper church ceiling displays an inverted ship's hull design decorated with hundreds of saint images, representing a distinctive medieval artistic choice. This type of decorated wooden vault was uncommon in church architecture outside of Northern Italy.
The church has different opening times for winter and summer, with entrance tickets available to purchase directly at the location. Plan enough time to move slowly through both levels and take in the details of the frescoes and architectural elements.
The Brenzoni Monument holds one of Pisanello's earliest surviving works, reflecting the church's role in supporting local artistic development. The late medieval pulpit positioned in the center of the nave demonstrates careful craftsmanship from that era.
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