Saint Peter of Borgo a Mozzano

Via della Chiesa, Borgo a Mozzano, località Anchiano, 55023 Borgo a Mozzano LU

The church of San Pietro di Valdottavo was built in a dominant position above the village. This impressive construction is an interesting example of the use of urban building techniques in a rural context: in particular there are strong analogies with the church of S. Alessandro Maggiore in Lucca showing that during the XII^th century A.D. there were masons working without distinction in town as well as in the surrounding countryside. The building presents a Latin cross plan with three aisles and a semicircular apse. The interior is illuminated by two series of monofore along the aisles. In Modern times the church was renovated and adapted to the demands of a new liturgy and to the Baroque taste: a transept was therefore added on the north side, divided into small aisles by two pillars and large windows replaced the earlier monofore. The new rectangular apse equalling the nave in height was added later. Finally, inside an exceptional row of sculpted capitals can be seen. An earlier church dedicated to San Salvatore is attested in Valdottavo since the VIII^th century, while the existing church dedicated to S. Pietro is attested since the XIII^th century as belonging to the pieve of Diecimo.