Chiesa di San Martino Vescovo

The earliest testimonies regarding the parish church of Povegliano date back to the 14th century when, in the same area as the current church, there existed a small parish (at least since 1137) dedicated to San Martino. It was not the parish church as it was under the jurisdiction of the Benedictines: the first church in the village was, in fact, San Ulderico, located where the streets Cavour and San Ulderico intersect today. Subsequently, in the 15th century, a proper church was demolished and rebuilt, which became the parish church. This was because the church of San Ulderico, being built on a swamp covered with fill, was in a serious state of wear due to water infiltration and subsidence.

In 1533, the Bishop of Verona Matteo Gilberti ordered the church to be enlarged at the expense of the municipality, an order that was repeated by Cardinal Agostino Valerio during his visit in 1582. Construction was completed in 1597, but in subsequent centuries, Archpriest Don Bartolomeo Martini initiated the reconstruction of the parish church, completed in 1824 by Archpriest Don Fenzi. Just as happened with the older churches, the same fate was reserved for the parish church of San Martino, which was demolished in September 1964 to make way for the current building. The demolition was justified by the need to improve traffic, the high costs of roof renovation, and the need for a square for the village. The citizens did not agree, as evidenced by the minutes of the municipal council of the time, which record heated disputes. Part of the artistic heritage was salvaged and part was looted/sold off, or even buried with the rubble. Testimonies to this are the statues of San Luca and San Martino found along the beginning of Via Nogarole (known as via Mora), now restored and relocated. The organ was practically sold off and the pipes burned.

In the basement of the current building, a crypt dedicated to San Ulderico has been created. The campanile of the church, standing a few meters away from the current building, was spared from the demolitions of 1964 and has recently been restored and reinforced. The bells were dismantled during World War II to be melted down for cannon material. Fortunately, they were spared and placed back after the war.

(Source: Municipality of Povegliano Veronese)