Grópina - Pieve di San Pietro

The Romanesque Parish Church of St Peter (Pieve di San Pietro) was built in the 12th century on Etruscan and Roman foundations. The façade, apse and campanile (1232) and the aisled interior are of rare harmony and striking beauty. Particular features of interest are the monolithic columns (with one pair of pillars interrupting the series), with curious, finely carved capitals (a pig with piglets; battle between Virtue and Vice; fighting animals; vines; Samson, etc.), and a fine pulpit with bas-reliefs (symbols of the Evangelists) and rich ornament. The history of the church can be traced back to the time of Charlemagne, who presented an earlier church on this site to the Benedictine Abbey of Nonántola near Móderna.