Gateway of the pievi
The pilgrims’ gateway, along the Via Francigena
In the centuries around 1000 AD, a system of rural churches ("pievi") and castles dotted the Apennine between Emilia and Tuscany, along the ancient roads followed by pilgrims and merchants: for instance, Pieve di San Paolo in Vendaso, Pieve di San Vincenzo in Ramiseto, Pieve di Offiano in Foce dei Carpinelli.
The name "pieve" stood for both the sacred building and the community of believers; the buildings were placed in the most evocative spots, in strategic as well as panoramic positions, and testify to a long civil and religious history.
The gateway is by the Romanesque church of Santo Stefano di Sorano on State route ss62 "della Cisa", built along the ancient Via Francigena, an archaeologically as well as spiritually meaningful place.
Its three-apse structure (XI century) make this church unique in Lunigiana, a territory that gave birth to the thousand-year old civilisation of statue menhirs, of which a wonderful specimen is kept in the church.
