Church of San Nicolò, Lazise

This church in Lazise (Garda Lake) was built in the XII century and dedicated to the Patron Saint of waters and navigators, St. Nicholas (Nicolò). It is rather tiny and simple with no baroque signs whatsoever, no stuccoes, no marbles. Just plain stone with ancient frescoes emerging from under the wall painting.

Here is St. Antony Abbot (on the right), widely venerated in this area as the protector of animals and healer of skin diseases. His left hand holds a rod, symbol of authority, while the right hand makes a blessing with three fingers, as was customary for a bishop.

Under the arch

A few steps away from the green door (see post yesterday) there is a little portico, a very ancient one: it is, in fact, the back of the Domus Mercatorum. The little red bricks, the wooden beams and the variety of faded paintings make this place absolutely stunning. 

So far, the portico is used as a ... parking for motorbikes. Whoa!

San Fermo

This beautiful church is very close to where we live. It has a complex architecture and a stunning brick work. Here is a short excerpet from the Associazione Chiese Vive Verona web site:

Between 1065 and 1143 the Benedictine monks realized a great project. They built two Romanesque churches: the lower church to keep the relics, the upper to be used for religious functions. In 1261 the complex was handed over to the Franciscans, who transformed the upper church into its present form.

Whenever I pass I am captured by the artistic work. I look at the lower rows of terracotta bricks and think about the hand who placed it there, "the builder"that actually put one brick after another, a man that existed centuries ago, that had a family and a life, a medieval life, surely not an easy one.

Have you read "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett?