Chiesa di San Zeno in Oratorio (San Zenetto)

The church of San Zeno in Oratorio, also known as church of San Zenetto, is located near Castelvecchio. It's a small Romanesque church which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1117, rebuilt and made larger during the 14th century.

According to traditional sayings, it was built on the spot where the 4th century's Bishop and patron of Verona used to go fishing: still right on this spot is the stone on which the Saint used to sit. here are several famous archaeological evidences of the Roman age found in the area of San Zeno in Oratorio.

During the Scaligeri's age this area was gentrified by Cangrande and in 1336 San Zenetto was included among the parish churches of the town

Throughout the next centuries, the religious life of the community continued peacefully around this church, and thus the church of San Zeno in Oratorio was enriched by several works of art, although some damages were done by the river Adige's foods.

Unfortunately, like for many other churches in Verona, San Zenetto too was hit by the order of suppression during the French domination. Its territory became controlled by San Zeno Maggiore while the church was deprived of all the art works and furnishings. It remained closed from 1807 to 1816, when by the specific Bishop's will, it was reopened to be the rectory of San Zeno's parish.

After the traumatic period of despoliation, the church needed some considerable restoring, which the rectors took care with passion and deep commitment. Throughout the century, in order to give an overall better look to the church of San Zenetto, several paintings, sculptures and architectural pieces from demolished churches were recovered and placed here, thus depriving the church of its original look.

San Zenetto was again damaged during World War 2, but it was even worst in 1957 when the right hand side nave collapsed and important pieces of late middleage's frescos were destroyed. One of them depicted San Francesco.

Nevertheless, still nowadays inside the three-naves church there are traces of precious frescos: above the entrance portal there is a cross possibly of the 14th century. Among the other art works, remarkable is the polychrome statue of San Zeno, considered of the 14th century, which we can see inside a niche at the centre of the choir and which most likely is by the famous sculptor Rigino di Enrico.