Pieve di San Giorgio di Valpolicella, Romanesque church in San Giorgio di Valpolicella, Italy.
The Pieve di San Giorgio di Valpolicella is a Romanesque church set on a vegetation-covered hill, with three naves divided by pillars and columns inside. A white bell tower rises from the hilltop, creating a visible landmark across the surrounding landscape.
The church complex dates back to 712 CE, built over the remains of a pagan temple constructed by the Arusnati people from the Verona region. This pattern shows how early communities layered new sacred spaces over older religious structures.
The interior walls display frescoes from the 14th century that bring religious scenes to life with color and movement. The Lombard ciborium shows Celtic knots and detailed carvings of animals and plants, reflecting how local craftspeople expressed their skills through sacred objects.
Visitors can explore the eastern cloister with its three original colonnades and central well, plus an archaeological museum designed by Libero Cecchini. The hilltop location offers wide views across the surrounding region as you walk through the complex.
The church base incorporates an ancient Sun Temple altar within one of the columns of the left nave, a feature many visitors overlook. This hidden connection to earlier spiritual beliefs reveals how religious layers run deep at this location.
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