Church

The parish was erected in 1143, as testified by a Roman inscription, by the architects Borgo and Malfatto. It surely arose on pre-existing buildings from the Lombard period, considering the numerous Roman gravestones in the church. It is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.

Of Romanesque style, the church presents simple forms, with few relief decorations. The exterior is elegant and well-maintained: the sloping facade is bordered by a frieze of polychrome hanging arches and features a hanging porch, above which opens a bifora topped by a small window divided by a cross.

The bell tower, square in plan, is difficult to date: it is certainly original although it has undergone significant alterations over time. The complex is surrounded by a wall with a gate, which was once so high that it hid the existence of the church from passersby.

The interior of the church has three naves, a division obtained with rows of columns alternating with pillars: respectively three columns per side alternating with two pillars. The structure is not perfectly rectangular, as the columns and pillars are not on the same line but differ by almost half a meter. The church has three apses.

In the past, there were paintings on wood depicting the twelve apostles and a representation of St. Michael, now unfortunately lost, as are the frescoes. During the restoration in 1905, some of the frescoes came to light, probably dating back to the 14th century.

The most important work present in this church is the polychrome wooden sculpture “Madonna with Child,” by the Veronese artist Giovanni da Zebellan. Commissioned by the Company of the Blessed Virgin, it was sculpted and placed in the church in 1497. The restoration has allowed it to be admired in all its beauty, with the Virgin's dress decorated in gold with refined red lacquer embroidery and the inner part of the cloak colored in blue. The delicate face of the Madonna, gathered in prayer with her hands joined above the little Son, expresses maternal grace and serenity. The Child, holding a robin, also shows beautiful golden hair and the fine folds of the skin patiently drawn.