Romanesque Church of S. Martino di Bargecchia

The Romanesque Church of San Martino di Bargecchia, built in the early 1200s, is an authentic treasure chest of history and faith that has been revealed over the centuries. The first documented information dates back to 1234, but it was only in 1260 that it officially appeared in ecclesiastical catalogues. Built in exposed stone, the west side and the walls that embraced the apse, now demolished, are extraordinarily preserved. The original floor of the church is located two and a half meters below the current one.

With its dimensions of 5.90 meters wide and 17.70 meters long, the church follows a Romanesque style, with the altar and the apse oriented towards the east. The ceiling, in exposed wood, rested on a terracotta frame, while the main door faced west, surmounted by a small circular window. The building was originally covered with plates, following the tradition of the time.

The four bells, delivered to the town in 1885, have a central role in local history. It is said that the famous maestro Giacomo Puccini often visited Bargecchia to listen to the melody of the bells, which inspired the first act of the opera Tosca. Over the centuries, the bells have been the fastest means of communication, announcing crucial events, wars, storms and marking the daily rhythm of life in the town.

The church's past is enriched by polyptychs from the 14th and 15th centuries, large paintings, marbles and silver from the 1500s, evocative wooden works and valuable processional lamps from the 1700s. In 1690, discussions began on the construction of a new church, and although there are no precise documents on the start of the works, a letter from 1840 and a sheet from 1842 highlight the debate on the expansion project. Today, the church of San Martino di Bargecchia continues to tell its story through its works of art, embodying the faith and tradition of past generations.