Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Lizzano in Belvedere

Behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous uploads) stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished. The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m). The door was open... The building has a small apse, where the white bench is. It looks like a little gazebo, where neighbours meet in the evening to have a chat and a glass of wine.

Behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous uploads) stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished. The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m). There are two doors.

Just behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous upload), hidden in the shadow of the (as well new) campanile stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished. The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m).

Just behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous upload), hidden in the shadow of the (as well new) campanile stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey. It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished.

The parish church is dedicated to San Mamante a popular saint in the Byzantine empire. The church seen here was erected in 1931 in a Neo-Byzantine style. It was erected over remains of a much older church, that may be dated back in pro-Lombard times. The area belonged to the Exarchate of Ravenna, what means it was under Byzantine (East Roman) control. In 751 the Exarchat was conquered by Lombard King Aistulf, who transfered Lizzano in 753 to the Nonantola Abbey, just founded a year before by Saint Anselm, Duke of Friuli and Aistulf´s brother-in-law. At that time a (byzantine) church may have existed here already, though there are no traces of an older structure in this church - but behind the building.