Chiesa di San Giorgio

The Church of San Giorgio was built in the 11th century by the Franciscans and was initially connected to a monastery. The construction follows the architectural lines typical of the time, with a single central nave, a small apse, and the essential elements for worship.

On the external façade, there is an ancient bas-relief depicting Saint George on horseback slaying the dragon to save the princess; beneath it is the representation of a shield. There is also an arm of a friar holding three spindles: this certainly alludes to the wool trade practiced by the laypeople, as was the tradition in the medieval and early modern periods. This craft was practiced for the economic support of both the monastic and lay communities.

The small bell tower, with its rough bifora and terracotta dome, forms a single body with the church.

 

Inside, the whole church was once frescoed: time has irreparably distorted its original appearance, especially following the transformation of the building into a lazaret during the plague that struck the Soave area in 1630. Nevertheless, fragments representing the Last Supper, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Lawrence can still be admired, and they are attributed to Giolfino of Verona.

Behind the main altar, there was a wooden statue of the Madonna, with Saint Peter and Saint Andrew painted at the base and Ecce Homo in the center. This statue was famous for the miracles it performed.

Inside the church, one can see high up the rib of a prehistoric animal, almost certainly recovered near Soave, which is part of a paleontological heritage still to be discovered.

The convent was suppressed in the 18th century by the Republic of Venice.

The church was restored in 2004, bringing it back to its original beauty.