CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA

This building was rebuilt in the modern village of Turano between 1570 and 1585, although its origins date back to the early Middle Ages, in fact already in 928 the church was mentioned in the will of the bishop Nokterio. Some news, midway between history and legend, sees this place being visited by Pope Alexander III, who would have held mass here after having taken refuge following the flight that Federico Barbarossa would have caused him to take. However, the simple, compact church has a beautiful façade equipped with a window on the top and a large, square projecting porch with a tiled roof. Also interesting are the lighter finishings that decorate and outline some external areas of the façade. Inside, there is a painting by the artist Andrea Bertanza showing the beheading of John the Baptist, holy dedicatee of the building with the same name. The lawn in front of the church was once designated as the place to execute the death sentences that could be issued by the feudal lords in the area, which is why the lawn was given the name Pica (spite). (credits Arianna Florioli)