SP150, 27020 Velezzo Lomellina PV

Pieve di Velezzo

Among the oldest monuments in Lomellina, the Pieve of Santa Maria a Velezzo was rediscovered thanks to Mario Soldati’s writings.
Set amidst the countryside, not far from the embankment of the Agogna stream, stands one of the most ancient sites in Lomellina.

The Pieve of Santa Maria a Velezzo is an enchanting ensemble comprising low farmhouses surrounding a small church, a bell tower, and a historic baptistery. The origin of the complex is uncertain: according to some studies, it might date back to the late 9th century or early 10th century, built upon ancient foundations that could even trace back to the decline of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. The earliest historical records are from 1259, when the Pieve had already lost its independence and was under the jurisdiction of the Church of Lomello, which led to its name, Santa Maria Minore. Subsequent records from 1323 and 1460 reveal that the vicar of the bishop of Pavia visited Velezzo; by then, the church was in ruins, while the baptistery was in better condition, though lacking internal decorations. Following further requests in 1561 and 1565, restoration work began in 1576. In the 18th century, the church was extended, and a sacristy was added, with the addition of the Chapel of the Rosary at the end of the 19th century. In 1966, an article by Mario Soldati on Romanesque and pre-Romanesque Lomellina contributed to the rediscovery of the Pieve di Velezzo, leading to a restoration in 1983 overseen by the Lombardy monument supervision that gave the church its current appearance.