Church of San Lorenzo in Moneglia

On the oldest hill of the village

The Church of San Lorenzo stands on the hill of the same name and is probably the oldest church in Moneglia. Tradition holds that an original church already existed here and that it was destroyed in 641 by Rotari. Rebuilt over time, it suffered another destruction in the 12th century at the hands of Barbarossa. It was then rebuilt on its ancient foundations, giving rise to the church we know today, a silent witness to centuries of history and faith.

The medieval reconstruction and the name “Chiesanuova”

Some wills and documents from the 13th century mention endowments for this church, confirming the importance of the site. The definitive reconstruction dates back to the 13th century, as attested by a deed drawn up on 11 July 1224 in the castle of Monelone in Moneglia, which explicitly mentions the “ecclesia nova” of San Lorenzo. Not by chance, the toponym of the area is still today Chiesanuova. The dedication to San Lorenzo, protector of Genoa together with San Giovanni Battista, San Giorgio and San Bernardo di Chiaravalle, further strengthens the link with Genoese tradition.

A religious center among villages and castles

In the 15th century, the Podesteria of Moneglia included numerous “villas” and castles, among them Lemeglio, Deiva, Mezema, Scaro, Littorno, Agnora, Camposottano, San Saturnino, Curva, Tessi, Stozzo, Comeglio, Camposoprano and precisely Chiesanuova. The register of the Oratory of the Disciplinanti of Moneglia also records a Chiesanuova family, evidence of a deep-rooted connection between the territory and the church. San Lorenzo was the parish church before San Giorgio; the Remondini even cite it as the only parish church in the 7th century.

From parish church to place of memory

With the development of the village of Moneglia along the coast in the Late Middle Ages, the Church of San Lorenzo lost its status as parish church in favor of San Giorgio, as it was too far from the new settlement. Today the building, simple both externally and internally, preserves works of notable interest: on the walls there is a triptych depicting San Lorenzo and other works with Franciscan themes; a baptismal basin carved with three lobes has been adapted for use as a holy water font. The church is open on special occasions for guided visits, and the feast day is celebrated on 10 August, once involving the entire village.