Pieve di San Giorgio

The Pieve di San Giorgio near Argenta preserves an early Christian foundation and a Romanesque sculpted portal. Its present single brick hall is the outcome of rebuilding and reduction over many centuries.

Why it matters

The church served a rural territory associated with Ravenna's ecclesiastical authority. Archaeological evidence, surviving decoration and the building itself connect early baptismal worship with later medieval patronage.

What to notice

The marble portal incorporates reused stone and reliefs of the months, represented through seasonal work. Its lunette depicts the martyrdom of Saint George. The plain brick structure and small bell gable contrast with this concentrated sculptural decoration. Traces of wall painting preserve another aspect of the interior's earlier appearance.

Context and history

The foundation is traditionally associated with Archbishop Agnello of Ravenna in 569. An early hall had a mosaic floor and baptismal font. Enlargement in 1122 added side aisles and a portal associated with Giovanni da Modigliana. The aisles were probably removed during late-sixteenth-century work. Excavated material from the site later entered Argenta's civic archaeological collection.