The early Christian complex consisting of the parish church of San Lorenzo and the baptistery of San Giovanni Battista in Settimo Vittone, represents one of the oldest remains of the Canavese area, dating back to the second half of the 9th century.
The complex is situated on a rock, near defensive structures built perhaps as early as the 10th century to protect the parish church, on which the old castle was subsequently built.
Situated high above the town and the Dora Baltea river, the parish church and the adjoining baptistery must have been an important stopping point along the Via Francigena for travellers and pilgrims in the past. The environmental context, populated by vineyards that climb steeply up the terraces, supported by characteristic "tupiun", small stone columns whitewashed with lime, enhances the charm of the place.
Inside the church there are also some beautiful frescoes, painted between the 13th and the late 15th century. Studies have identified three different cycles of frescoes, dating to around 1340, 1350-60 and after 1387.
The second cycle seems to have been created by an extremely talented artist, to whom, strangely, no other works are attributed.
The decoration of the altar, on the other hand, dates back to the 17th century, after which no other paintings were added, partly due to the fact that the parish was transferred to the Church of S. Andrea, in the village below, in 1661, after which all care and attention were dedicated exclusively to the new church.
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