Saint Lorenzo of Brancoli

Brancoli

This church, on the road that, in the Middle Ages, led from the Serchio valley to the Parish Church of S. Giorgio, first documented in the 13^th century, is the smallest of its kind in Brancoli.
Recorded in the "Estimo" of 1260 as among the churches in the Parish of Brancoli, it is located near the old house of the "Casa Carli" also known as "Casa Bellarmino" or "Tribunale", said to have been at one time the "curtis" or rather "Court" of the Republic of Lucca.
The Church, painstaking restored in 1956, almost entirely conserves its original medieval forms and structure, characterised by a single nave plan, trussed ceiling and semi-circular apse. The various construction techniques can be individuated in the building’s structure, and are particularly evident in the south side. These clearly demonstrate different phases of construction, probably due to the scarcity of the economic resources that the small community of S. Lorenzo was able to allocate to the project at any one time.
The bell tower, on the north side, near the apse, is of particular interest and features a large arch at the base, under which passed the old steep road that rose from Vinchiana.
Inside there is also a glazed earthenware sculpture of San Lorenzo, by Andrea della Robbia.