San Marino

San Marino is a church in Pavia with a single nave and side chapels, located on Via Siro Comi with its distinctive bell tower. The floor plan follows a classical layout with a presbytery and several artistically important areas within.

The church was founded in the 8th century by Lombard king Aistulf and received relics of two saints from Rome at that time. This royal foundation and early relic acquisition were among the most significant aspects of its establishment.

The interior walls display artworks spanning several periods, including frescoes from the early 16th century in the side chapels. The decoration shows how different artistic styles have layered themselves over the centuries within this space.

The church is easy to reach from central Pavia since it sits on a main street connected to public routes. Its location on Via Siro Comi makes it straightforward to find and explore on foot.

Stone bas-relief fragments from the Lombard period survive in the presbytery, preserving the craft techniques of an early era. These objects show the artistic skills that had already developed in this region more than 1200 years ago.