[Feb. 2024] After visiting the Printing Museum in Soncino, Lombardy, Northern Italy, we still had some time before lunch, so we decided to go into a church we came across.
We casually looked into this church called Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta.
When I went inside, I was surprised at how luxurious it was.
The red and white striped arches reminded me a little of the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain, and the blue ceiling like a starry sky.
Each chapel also has frescoes on the domes, which are elaborate.
The exterior is simple, made of brick, so I couldn’t imagine that the inside would be so amazing.
I looked around with my mouth agape, wondering how it could be possible in such a small town.
It is well maintained, and you can see that the town is wealthy.
That said, there were many vacant shops in the town, though.
According to the information board in front, this church is the oldest in the region, and its history dates back to the Goths in the 5th century.
The original form of the church as it stands today was created in the late 16th century or early 17th century, and it has been restored and expanded many times since then.
By the way, in Italy, churches are usually called Chiesa, but this one is Pieve.
Apparently, Pieve means parish church.
When we left here, we saw something like a cloister across the street, so we went in.
This was also one of the highlights, and it was the second place we could enter with the ticket we had purchased earlier.
The attendant told us to enter the church through a different entrance, so we walked around.
This is the church called Chiesa di San Giacomo.
When I went in, I was amazed again at how luxurious it was.
The entire ceiling is covered in beautiful frescoes.
To reach the main altar, one has to climb a marble staircase.
I read on the information board that the altar was raised to make way for the crypt, an underground chapel.
When we went down to the crypt, the atmosphere was also very nice.
This church was built in the 14th century.
The two churches are almost next to each other, and it seems like they are competing with each other.
And it reminded me of the depth and richness of Italy that such a small not-so well- known town has such wonderful hidden sights. (I remembered I’d said that before, and when I looked it up, I found out it was in Lodi.)
