The Church of San Pietro is located in the small village of Corsena. From its earliest origins it has been characterised by a "basilica" structure, with a very wide central nave and the wings - of differing sizes - separated from the main hall by two rows of eight columns. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several restorations and reconstructions; the arches of the portico (X-XI cent.) is the only feature of the original structure which remains, now incorporated within the right aisle. The facade and the apse, from the sixteenth century, have also been the subject of numerous changes that have altered the original appearance.

Historical notes

The "site" of Corsena is mentioned for the first time in 983 and then in 1105 in a decree issued by the Countess Matilde di Canossa to the Porcaresi family. The church, however, is mentioned in several documents: the first was in 1165, later in the Appraisal of the Diocese of Lucca (1260) and, finally, in the records of tithes compiled for the years 1275, 1276 and 1387.

San Pietro a Corsena, church facade

San Pietro a Corsena, side nave with blind archcon arco tamponato