The church, whose origin is supposed to be Carolingian (9th century), rises near the remains of a village, where the valleys of Messi and Viso meet, on the route that takes to Valle Camonica, through the Gavia and Stelvio passes, towards the north. Based on the analysis of the stile, the present-day structure appears to be datable to the year one thousand. The church and the bell tower are reminiscent of Romanesque forms. The architrave of the south-facing door, in Canè marble, and the side window probably date to the Renaissance. The bell tower and the roof are covered by slates. The inside is composed of a small room devoid of decorations and a semicircular apse. The low-arched apse presents Romanesque-like frescoes, datable to the 14th century. At the centre of the basin there’s a figure of Christ almighty surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists. Below this composition are found the apostles, identified by writings in uncial characters. Along the under-arch there are images of prophets and characters from the Old Testament. Information on the church is found in the acts of the bishop visits starting from the 16th century. At the end of the 17th century the original dedication, to St. Apollonio, was accompanied by the one to St. Apollonia, maybe because of the influence of German travellers. Beyond the river, on the meadows before the church, there are signs of the presence of dwellings, which some identify with the village of Casai, mentioned in traditional stories.
WHAT TO SEE
The frescoes in the apse (14th century).
IN THE SURROUNDINGS
In Pezzo: the parish church of St. Lucia; the site of Case di Viso (Viso Houses), located in the Viso valley; the little church of Viso, in memory of the fallen of the Viso massacre; the historical centre, with the picturesque alleys and fountains. In Zoanno: the chapel of the Zoanno dead. In Ponte di Legno: the castle of Castelpoggio, in the Poia area, at the western entrance of Ponte di Legno; the church of the Holy Trinity (the legend of Charlemagne in the heart of the Alps).