Church of San Rocco in Montalto Dora

Access

Pedestrian access

Introduction

The origin of this church is very uncertain: no documents have been found so far and only a few hypotheses are possible.

Description

It can be assumed that the church originated in the late 14th century as a votive pillar dedicated to St Sebastian. The pillar was located next to the building that served as a guard post on the road leading to the castle; it was later extended in the form of a chapel at the end of the 17th century. The porch is probably from the late 19th century. Inside the apse are some frescoes, presumably dating back to the 14th century, depicting the Madonna, St Christopher, St Roch, St Sebastian and St Grato. The church and the frescoes inside were restored in 1997, while the outside area and some maintenance work has been carried out, from 1989 to the present day, by some volunteers from Montalto Dora. The dedication to the Saint probably dates back to the 17th century. It was during these years that the terrible bubbonin plague epidemic spread, literally decimating the populations of the time. The saint was thus invoked as a healer of the contagious disease; he is often depicted dressed as a pilgrim, accompanied by a dog, while pointing a piga at his leg. It seems that sometimes, to the churches dedicated to St. Roch, were attached lazarettos, run by confraternities, in which plague victims were isolated. Their location immediately outside the built-up area is thus justified for hygienic and symbolic reasons, i.e. to prevent the plague from entering the village. 

Information

 Visiting directions

The church can only be visited from the outside