The church of St. Clemente is cited in the bishop documents at least since the 11th century. In front of the building, toward the valley, one can still see the remains of an ancient xenodochium, possibly used as a trading post by the imperial messengers. It was suggested that the dedication to St. Clemente, who was condemned to exile at the marble mines of Cherson on the Black Sea, may be linked to the presence of the marble quarry of Borom, just above the site where the church was put up. The bell tower of Romanesque style was built in several phases, identifiable by the shape and the layout of the stones: the ones up to the first twin lanc et windows are square and bigger, the ones on the upper cell are smaller and rectangular, pointing to the fact that the second level was built in a later period. The church, restored in the 16th century, as shown by the date placed above the architrave of the entrance door, is made of two bodies, not perfectly aligned, so that the axis of the nave comes out slightly slanted with respect to the apse. The apse frescoes are dated from the 16th century and they depict some saints venerated in Valle Camonica such as St. Martino and St. Lucia. The altar piece (a photographic reproduction: the original is found in the parish picture-gallery of Vezza d’Oglio) dates from the 17th century. Inside the vestry some wooden legs and arms are preserved, votive offerings given by the worshippers, following requests of grace for healings from maiming and wounded limbs.
WHAT TO SEE
The Romanesque bell tower, the wooden limbs left as votive offerings.
IN THE SURROUNDINGS
The Borom marble quarry (now closed); the ancient huts of Pedenole.
In Vezza d’Oglio: the Federici tower; the handmade articles from the Big War.
In Davena: the church of St. Michele and Giorgio (the legend of Charlemagne in the heart of the Alps).