Parish Church of San Pantaleone

The Pieve di San Pantaleone a Elici stands out as an authentic Romanesque jewel, majestically dominating the hills of Massarosa and conferring an aura of antiquity and sacredness to the picturesque town that bears its name.

Its history is rooted in the work of evangelization carried out by San Frediano throughout the territory. Already mentioned in a document dating back to 892, the Pieve di San Pantaleone owes its toponym 'elici' to the Latin ilex, meaning holm oak, an abundant plant that surrounds the building. Situated on a ridge, it offers an extraordinary panorama of the Massarosa plain, ranging from Lake Massaciuccoli to the Versilia coast.

The current structure, with a Latin cross plan with three naves and a semicircular apse, dates back to the 12th century, when the parish church was rebuilt, preserving the only wall still standing from the original building. A marble triptych dating back to 1470 and adorning the high altar, with the representation of the Madonna, Saint Pantaleone and Saint John the Baptist, stands as a precious testimony of sacred art.

Considered one of the treasures of Romanesque architecture, the Pieve di San Pantaleone is striking for its austere composure and the grace of its crenellated bell tower. In addition to its architectural importance, the church preserves the memory of a thousand-year-old past and represents a historical and spiritual point of reference for the local community. Over the centuries, the Pieve di San Pantaleone in Elici has resisted the passage of time, preserving its timeless charm intact and attracting visitors and believers with its timeless beauty.