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Church of San Lorenzo

Impossible not to find and not to remain charming.

Just entered the village of Colle di Buggiano, you will find yourself in a square that precedes the entrance to the historic center. In front of you stands the Parish Church of San Lorenzo, with its flight of steps opposite In front of you stands the Parish Church of San Lorenzo, with its flight of steps opposite.
It dates back to 1238 but has been remodeled between the ‘400 and ‘500 and then restored in the ’60s of the twentieth century.

Born with a Romanesque imprint with a single nave and side entrance, in 1524 it was rebuilt and was given a Renaissance appearance.
Although he did not know the architect and the workers who worked on the project, there are strong references to the artistic environments of Lucca and Pistoia at the time.

In 1627 the Diocese of Pescia refused to wear a coat of arms of the Knights of Malta which remained on the sidelines for a long time, to find destination on the main portal in facade only in the eighteenth century.
The external staircase is the element that most characterizes the building and acts as a link between the lower square and the higher church. Even the bell tower helps to outline its appearance: Romanesque with its characteristic mullioned windows, incorporates the remains of a defense tower.
The interior is divided into 3 naves with 4 arches, with the ceiling trussed in wood.
Beautiful are the wooden works such as the choir of the 600s above the entrance door, the organ built in 1852 both with gilded decorations, heads and winged cherubs and floral friezes.
Even the choir, with its elegant and valuable workmanship, dates back to the same period.
But what will surely catch your eyes is the wonderful pictorial heritage, dating back to the period between the ‘500 and ‘600.
The invention of the cross” is found in the first altar on the right. The attribution is uncertain, perhaps attributable to Pier Francesco Foschi and datable around the mid-1500s.
The peculiarity of the work is all in the face of Christ among the angels in glory, which recalls the Holy Face of Lucca venerato throughout the Valdinievole.
A little further on, in the same nave, is located on the third altar the “Martyrdom of San Lorenzo” attributed to Giovanni Brina and dated 1581.
The painting “Christ preaching with Saints John the Baptist and Evangelist” is placed above the first altar on the left, is dated 1571 and attributed to Carlo Portelli. Also this canvas is executed in characteristic mannerist style, so widespread in those years.
The canvas “San Michele driving out the rebellious angels” is attributed to Alessandro Tiarini, a pupil of the Florentine Passignano, who was present and very active throughout the Valdinievole. The painting dates back to the early years of the ‘600 with its deep drama is a tribute to the spiritual values of the Counter-Reformation.

Curiosity

Among all the beauties you can see, the most fascinating work is the wooden crucifix on the second altar in the left aisle. The sculpture is attributed to the environment of the Master of Camaiore, active in many churches in the area, dated in the first decades of the fourteenth century.
The elongated face of Christ, the barely opened mouth and the closed eyes communicate the profound pain and drama of the moment.
This crucifix has always been particularly venerated by the inhabitants of Colle so much so that the altar that houses it was decorated with an abundance of stucco and winged putti in the eighteenth century.

Pieve di San Lorenzo, Piazza Cavour, Colle di Buggiano, PT, Italia

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