The village of Pieve di Tremosine sul Garda houses one of the most beautiful churches in the municipality, with a stunning panoramic position and a unique tradition, dating back many centuries.
At the origins of Pieve and its church
In the position where the church of San Giovanni Battista di Pieve di Tremosine sul Garda now stands, there once used to be a temple dedicated to the Celtic god Bergimo, protector of mountains.
The first Christian community of Tremosine sul Garda was founded around the fourth century D.C. from the bishop of Trento, Vigilio - a few decades later, the first Christian church in the entire area of Tremosine was built to replace the temple.
Over time, the building underwent several changes, and around the year 1000 the bell tower was built, in Romanesque style. The bell tower is now the only trace left of the original version of the church.
Around 1560, the ancient Romanesque church was almost completely demolished, and two chapels dedicated to San Rocco and the Holy Virgin were built afterwards.
In 1800, the church was equipped with a new bell system and an organ, and after World War II it was restored and modernized.
The parish church of the village was first dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, as noted in a papal bull, and in the mid-17th century it was officially dedicated to San Giovanni Battista (St. John the Baptist).
The interior: the organ, stucco and paintings
The church of Pieve has a central nave with a main altar and other six minor altars, under which the tombs of the priests of Tremosine sul Garda used to be.
The church is decorated with stuccos, as well as seventeenth and eighteenth century paintings - the altarpiece, depicting the birth of San Giovanni Battista, was painted by artist Francesco Barbieri.
The wooden choir is beautifully inlaid with floral motifs. In the 18th century, the same artist, Giacomo Lucchini, also completed the structure around the organ, the confessionals and the sacristy.
The structure of the Sacri Tridui was built around the mid-19th century, and with its 356 candles it is one of the most interesting traditions in Tremosine sul Garda.
Curious Facts
On the lintel next to the ancient Romanesque bell tower of Pieve, there is a painting depicting a significant episode for the Christian community of Tremosine sul Garda: in the distant past, in the name of Christianity, the people of Tremosine sul garda managed to bring peace between the different tribes in conflict.
