Chiesa di Santa Maria sopra Olcio, Medieval church at 664 meters elevation in Mandello del Lario, Italy.
The Chiesa di Santa Maria sopra Olcio is a medieval church standing at 664 meters elevation above the valley floor. It features a Latin cross layout with a portico entrance and a bell tower enclosed within surrounding walls.
The church gained protection from the Holy See under Pope Eugene III in 1145, establishing its importance in the region. This papal recognition helped shape its role as a significant spiritual center for local communities.
Inside the church, you can see paintings from the 1500s showing the Madonna holding her child along with two saints on either side of the walls.
The church is only reachable on foot, requiring about a 30-minute walk from the Somana neighborhood along marked trails. The building sits away from roads suitable for vehicles, making it inaccessible for cars or wheelchairs.
A hermit named Alessandro Carizzoni lived within the church complex from 1713 to 1790, conducting restoration work during his years there. His long presence helped preserve the building from decay and left a mark on the site's history.
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