Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Assunta

Just outside the village of Pognana, in the territory of Fivizzano, is the Church of St. Maria Assunta. The building is situated along the left bank of the Rosaro stream from where an amazing view of the valley and the Verrucola Castle can be appreciated. In ancient times an itinerary leading to the Ospedalaccio and to Emilia passed through here.

Already recorded in 1137 among the dependencies of the monastery of San Prospero of Reggio, this church is often improperly called a parish church because inside it has architectural and artistic elements that resemble those of the major parish churches in the area.

The present appearance of the church dates back to the early 13th century, and to the different renovations, especially at the end of the 15th century, throughout the 18th century, and after the 1920 earthquake. It was probably built on a small chapel, which today corresponds to the foundation of the bell tower built in Romanesque forms, with an apse completely inserted into the masonry.

Made of isodomon stone, the church has two gates: one in sandstone which lays under the frieze with the date 1809, the majesty marble of the Assumption, and a double-arched window, and the other opens on the southern flank, where the bell tower is also located.

Of particular interest is the three-aisled interior with a repertoire of sculptures rich in symbolic meaning decorating the capitals and a marble fragment of Lombard-Carolingian origin from the 8th-9th centuries, depicting two swans.