San Pietro in Vincoli

Very particular the exterior. Church ... A little gem

Unfortunately I could only admire it outside, it was closed, I was very sorry!

Deconsecrated church with carpenters but I do not recommend going there

A lot of history. Suggestive position overlooking the ancient village of Bienno.

In 774, Charlemagne defeated the Lombards in Italy, becoming the most powerful ruler in Europe. In the same year, he donated the Valle Camonica to the monks of San Martin of Tours in France. Beginning in the fifteenth century, some manuscripts report the account of a legendary journey made by Charlemagne through the Alps, with the aim of conquering and converting the mountain population not yet Christianized. The church of San Pietro in Vincoli is located along the communication route that connects Bienno to Breno, probably a site of an ancient hospice for travelers and certainly built on a pre-existing building, perhaps a tower, which can still be seen between the walls re-use materials. The name Zucco or the dialect Süch, whose meaning is still uncertain, is often added to the name of the building. Pastoral visits of the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries recall her in precarious conditions, so much so that she was subjected to accommodation during the twenty-eighth century. The portico is witnessed already in 1578, while in 1692 it was reported as "the painted images of the wall inside the choir or were painted again or canceled altogether". Today there are no traces of the ancient paintings and even the leather frontal that decorated the altar was moved to the town hall. Father Gregorio of Val Camonica (1698) remembers how in the church there was a table that certified all the indulgences granted by the bishops following Charlemagne and the foundation of the same building as unquestionable truths. The custody of the church was in the hands of the hermits who resided on the hill of La Maddalena, while today the structure is used for artistic and cultural activities. TO BE SEEN The porch, the walls with re-used stones.

Beautiful place, just before entering the town. It is currently home to a carpentry workshop where the inlay technique is the master. The staff kindly welcomes you and explains perfectly how the sculptures are made (I define them this way because for me they are given the skill you need to have to make an inlaid design). Really exciting. All very good.

Small church just outside the village near the road that leads to the Colle del Cristo Re. Unfortunately found closed. On the back it is still possible to see the remains of an ancient Roman dedicated to Bacchus.

Leaving the SS for Breno, turn left (to go up to Cristo Re and the Hermitage) and you will come across this interesting church, no longer consecrated, which stands on a hillock and was formerly a fortified place. In Roman times the place was consecrated to the god Bacchus. The popular toponym "Hant Pèder Huk" (San Peder Süc) would indicate the ancient heritage and the panel on site informs that it was perhaps built on a ruined tower, which in dialect is called "sucada". In fact, observing the masonry face, one can see re-used material. Its origins as a Christian church date back to the 11th century, but according to legend it was Charlemagne, in the 8th century, who wanted it to be erected, dedicating it to St. Peter in chains (Vincoli), a representation that once adorned the altarpiece of altar and today it is in the Town Hall. There is no real parking, but a recess on the right, along the uphill road, allows you to leave your car. The church has two entrances: the main one is to the north and the lateral one to the west. This is because originally it was much smaller and had the entrance to the west, but over time it had deteriorated, so much so that in 1580 S. Carlo Borromeo found it uncovered and open. He then had it stretched along the N-S axis and placed the entrance to the North (which is unusual), ordering it to be fixed. On the south facade we find a small rose window and a bell tower. On the western side, facing the carriage road, a porch was added (in the Middle Ages) to give shelter to pilgrims and wayfarers. To the east, through a gate, you enter a grassy area, with some swings for children, and a "balcony" that allows you to admire the surrounding landscape. A small "enclosure" should delimit the Roman remains. To the south it is possible to take a panoramic path surrounded by greenery. It seems that over time the church was guarded by one or two hermits but it was decadent in 1692, with the frescoes of the choir already compromised. It was taken from the complete decay only later and, now deconsecrated, it plays the role of artistic / cultural center. Outside you can admire iron sculptures (Bienno is the town of forges) relating to the theme of the Passion. It is not open to visits internally but it is also a jewel from the outside and if you are passing through it is highly recommended to stop!