San Donato, Romanesque church in San Donato, Cittadella, Italy.
San Donato is a Romanesque church south of Cittadella with three interior naves covered by a timber roof. The walls are made from river Brenta pebbles, matching the same material used in the town's fortifications.
The church served as the baptismal center for the surrounding area starting in the sixth century until 1376, when its function moved to Cittadella's cathedral. This shift reflected the growing importance of the town center and a change in religious administration.
The church was the oldest pieve in the area, and in 1376 Pope Gregory XI transferred its titles and jurisdiction to Cittadella's cathedral, which has since held Saint Donatus as co-patron. The name and the annual commemoration of the saint keep that link visible today.
The church is located about two kilometers south of Cittadella along the road toward Padua and is easily accessible. It makes for a straightforward stop when exploring the religious sites of the surrounding area.
The church was the oldest pieve in the area, founded centuries before Cittadella's cathedral. In 1376 Pope Gregory XI transferred its titles and jurisdiction to the cathedral, which has since had Saint Donato as co-patron.
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