The millenary Church of San Michele al Monte is in the territory of the current Municipality of Porto Valtravaglia, about 820 metres asl and not far from a very old small alpine nucleus. The position and view of Lake Maggiore are marvellous and charming.
History of the Church of San Michele al Monte
As many other oratories and small churches in the mountains, and as indicated by a document from the end of the 18th century, the Church of San Michele al Monte was built to ensure participation in religious functions by people living in the mountains in the spring and summer, who followed the grazing animals.
Structure of the Church of San Michele al Monte
The Church of San Michele al Monte has a very simple structure: a hall (approximately 30 m2) with a semi-circular apse facing east according to ancient traditions, entirely covered with vaults by means of two cross spans.
The oldest parts of the little church, which date back to the second half of the 11th century, include rows of well-aligned stones and cobblestones, with very obvious herringbone strips. The sacristy and small bell tower would appear to have been added in the 19th century.
The collapsing of the roof of the sacristy in 1965 created new interest in this ancient little church. The roof was completely replaced with gneiss in 2000 and the walls and foundation were consolidated.
The series of frescoes in the Church of San Michele al Monte
These renovations were followed by the discoveries: in 2001, important frescoes from the 11th-14th centuries were discovered and restored. Described as early as the 16th century, they were later hidden under the new plaster and the church was also used as a shelter for tools and animals.
The centre of the apse was decorated with a Divina Maestà (Heavenly Majesty), the Evangelists on the sides and the Theory of the Apostles (Saint James being in the best condition) below.
Renovations on the left wall revealed a fresco depicting the patron, Michael the Archangel, followed by other angelical figures. The large fresco of the Suckling Madonna and saints Anthony the Abbot and Bernardo (1517) was already visible, but the restorations revealed its author thanks to the discovery of the epigraph: it's by Guglielmo da Montegrino, a local artist who also worked in Bedero (in the S. Vittore Presbytery) and in Brissago.
Photo gallery Church of San Michele al Monte
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