Paterno: Pieve, Grangia and Ceramics

If you are considering Paterno as a destination, you can weigh up three different cultural themes: the Romanesque Pieve di San Giovanni Battista, the history of the Grangia Vallombrosana di Paterno, and the ceramics made by Studio Ceramico Giusti. They differ in subject and scale: a place of worship, historical development, and craftsmanship. If you are looking for a hotel in Paterno, your cultural interests can help you narrow down your choice of destination.

Romanesque architecture amid greenery

The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista in Paterno is an example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture. It is also a rural church surrounded by greenery. This brings both its architectural classification and its rural setting into focus. For travelers who consider religious architecture when choosing a destination, the Pieve offers two specific features: a Romanesque church building and its green, rural surroundings. This differs from the Grangia, where the focus is on the history of a building and the furnishings of a chapel.

The Grangia’s ownership history and development

The history of Paterno’s ownership and the building history of the Grangia begin at different points. In 1100, some lands in Paterno were donated to the Abbey of Vallombrosa; soon afterward, Paterno passed entirely into Vallombrosan ownership. The Grangia Vallombrosana di Paterno, by contrast, was rebuilt by the Vallombrosans in 1588 and extended along the road to Vallombrosa. It was destroyed during the Second World War and later restored. Thus, the year 1100 relates to the land and ownership of the area, while 1588 dates the rebuilding of the Grangia. Its destruction and subsequent restoration belong to a later historical period.

The chapel and its artistic details

The Grangia’s art history includes the chapel dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate. During its restoration in 1840, it was decorated with painted architectural motifs and friezes. Its vault features a fresco by Nicola Cianfanelli depicting the Virgin in glory with angels. The altar wall has a trompe-l’œil perspective with an apse basin and Neo-Quattrocento overdoors. The two areas feature different emphases: the vault has a figurative depiction, while the altar wall features an illusionistic architectural motif. Those interested in the furnishings can distinguish these details by location and subject.

Ceramics as a distinct cultural focus

Another point of interest is Studio Ceramico Giusti in the village of Paterno, in the municipality of Pelago. For more than 30 years, the studio has designed and produced ceramics for the table and home, all thrown, worked and decorated by hand. The focus here is not on religious architecture or painting, but on ceramics and their handcrafted production. The handwork includes throwing and working the pieces as well as decorating them; it is not limited to their visible finish. This offers a clear comparison when choosing a destination: the Grangia combines building history and religious art, while the studio specializes in handcrafted ceramics.

Discover more destinations: Consuma, Borselli.

For the broader travel overview: Pelago.