Saint Lorenzo in Segromigno in Monte

Segromigno in Monte, Capannori

Documented towards the middle 9^th century as dependent on the Parish Church of S. Frediano di Lunata, the Church of S. Lorenzo results as being promoted to Parish Church in 872. Between the 9^th and 10^th century its influence extended to the surroundings hills, from mount Gromigno to the plain, already in agricultural use at the time with numerous mills and farming settlements. In the 10^th century most of the revenues from churches and villas in the area went to a powerful family resident in the nearby castle. The "Estimo" of 1260 records Segromigno has having eight dependent churches and two small hospitals, including S. Quirico in Petroio, also using medieval forms. The present day building has characteristics that, although testifying the acknowledgement of the novelty created by Buscheto in the Cathedral of Pisa, closely link it to the architecture of Lucca of the time: the proportions and division of the façade, with its slightly emergent central nave, recall the churches of Valdottavo and Diecimo, while the sculptural decorations are akin to those of the parish church of Brancoli, for the neo-antique references of the architrave and the eastern-like features of the lions. Similarly, the motif on the side walls of the architraved pilasters and cornices moulded at the base and the sides of the single lancet windows recall the church of S. Leonardo in Treponzio, another typical example of early 12^th century Lucca architecture. However, the accentuation of the blind arches is decidedly Pisan, especially considering that these normally appeared in the tympanum around the twin lancet window. In the 18^th century the apse was replaced by the present day choir, and the interior was given a vault and large openings replaced the single lancet windows. Of the works of art here, the marble Shrine with the Pietà of Baccio da Montelupo dated to 1519 and the frescos by Luigi Ademollo are particularly notable.