1. The History
Hidden away in the woods on the slopes of a wooded hill between Battaglia Terme and Catajo, there's not much info on this tiny two-roomed church. It was probably used by the local farming community and when many of the farms were abandoned, the church fell into neglect. The official name is The Oratory of the Valier villa, dedicated to St. Philip Neri. Built by the Massimi family in 1683, it passed to the Bettinis in 1734 until 1762 and then in 1822 on to the Valier family. It now lies in an advanced state of decay.
2. The Explore
Nice relaxed side-mooch from an explore during a family Easter holiday to Northern Italy. The bijou church lies off a private road, so I parked up by the main road and walked the couple of km over there. Main attraction was the nearby Villa Valier which I previously reported on - report HERE. Must have forgotten to write a report about this lovely little church so adding it retrospectively.
3. The Pictures
Front view through the trees:
Grand design on a small scale:
Traces of the former church painting:
..and other hints of its past miniature grandeur:
Hidden away in the woods on the slopes of a wooded hill between Battaglia Terme and Catajo, there's not much info on this tiny two-roomed church. It was probably used by the local farming community and when many of the farms were abandoned, the church fell into neglect. The official name is The Oratory of the Valier villa, dedicated to St. Philip Neri. Built by the Massimi family in 1683, it passed to the Bettinis in 1734 until 1762 and then in 1822 on to the Valier family. It now lies in an advanced state of decay.
2. The Explore
Nice relaxed side-mooch from an explore during a family Easter holiday to Northern Italy. The bijou church lies off a private road, so I parked up by the main road and walked the couple of km over there. Main attraction was the nearby Villa Valier which I previously reported on - report HERE. Must have forgotten to write a report about this lovely little church so adding it retrospectively.
3. The Pictures
Front view through the trees:
Grand design on a small scale:
Traces of the former church painting:
..and other hints of its past miniature grandeur:
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