Immersed in the enchantment of the vineyards and surrounded by centuries of history, the Pieve di San Zaccaria in Rocca Susella stands like a beacon of antiquity in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese. Built by legendary Comacine masters in the 12th century, this Romanesque church, with its façade decorated with sandstone and bricks from local quarries, tells secrets of faith and ancient art.
In the heart of the enchanting landscape of the Oltrepò Pavese, enveloped in the whispering of centuries and witness to distant eras, stands the majestic Pieve di San Zaccaria in Rocca Susella. Guardian of ancient secrets and steeped in millennial history, this Romanesque church, dating back to the first half of the 12th century, stands as a tangible symbol of the region‘s glorious past.
Attributed to the legendary Comacini masters, this structure has been the scene of countless vicissitudes over the centuries. Its history is a mosaic of moments of splendour and imposing challenges: from the first historical mentions in 1561 to the present day, the Pieve di San Zaccaria has gone through a journey of restoration and rebirth, proudly withstanding the adversities of time.
The facade of the parish church, a rare and striking example of local Romanesque architecture, is distinguished by its striped masonry, a harmonious alternation of sandstone bands and bricks from the surrounding quarries of the Oltrepò Pavese. This façade, marked by the passing of the centuries and the changing of the seasons, still retains its majesty and aura of mystery, telling secrets whispered by the bas-reliefs and ornate columns, guardians of a distant past.
But the troubled history of the Pieve di San Zaccaria does not end with its imposing architecture. During the 19th century, the building was deconsecrated and transformed into a humble agricultural warehouse, where the signs of its glorious past life mingled with the daily routine of rural work. Even during this transformation phase, the parish church retained its dignity, maintaining tangible traces of its former grandeur: a small chapel inside, supported by delicate Romanesque capitals, is a rare artistic tribute that recalls the splendid works of the Basilica of San Michele in Pavia.
Today, the Pieve di San Zaccaria is a living piece of Oltrepò Pavese history. Through titanic restoration efforts, the building has been preserved and now offers itself to visitors as an open window on the past. It welcomes those who know how to grasp the silent beauty of the ancient stones and the call of the epochs woven into its walls.
Not only a religious symbol, but a historical and artistic heritage to be admired and preserved, the Pieve di San Zaccaria continues to enchant visitors, offering not only the intrinsic beauty of its architecture, but also the opportunity to immerse oneself in the history and spirituality of times past.
And while the Pieve di San Zaccaria stands majestic in its splendour, an invitation whispers in the air around it: following the path that winds in front of the church, the Orridi di Rocca Susella await those who wish to explore not only the architectural heritage, but also the enchanting nature that surrounds this thousand-year-old gem.
