Church of San Michele Arcangelo, Montanaro

This church is located in the hamlet of Montanaro, in the municipality of Carpaneto. It is often open to visits by tourists and pilgrims.

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo is located in Montanaro, a hamlet of Carpaneto Piacentino. The building probably dates from before the year 1000 and has a special significance for the Lombards, who had a special veneration for the figure of the archangel. The church has undergone several renovations over the centuries, with the Baroque renovations from the 18th century determining its current appearance.
The interior of the church consists of a single nave with two side chapels that are connected to each other. The internal decoration is partly the work of Alberto Aspetti, one of the most important experts in mural painting in Piacenza in the first half of the 20th century. In the apsidal area, the patron saint is depicted in a sculptural group: Saint Michael fighting the devil. The bell tower, which began in the Renaissance, was completed at the end of the 18th century.

This church with the patronage “SAN MICHELE” was dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The name (coming from the Hebrew language) means “Who is like God?” He is often depicted - in paintings or as a statue - with a flaming sword, and occasionally a lance. Michael is - together with Raphael and Gabriel, occasionally Uriel is also included - one of the three or four archangels who (according to human understanding) occupy the highest rank in the heavenly hierarchy of angelic beings. Their common feast day in the saints' calendar is September 29th.