In 1872, in a vineyard on Colle di Brenta, not far from the small church of S. Valentino, an important find was made: the remains of a tomb slab that belonged to a sarcophagus or tomb. It is decorated with a large cross in relief and bears the following three-row inscription with the names of the dead in the sarcophagus (,,Flaminino made for himself and for lusta [his mother or his wife, sister or daughter?]): Flamininu[s---si -] bí et lustae [---] fec[it].
These epigraphic features made it possible to date the find to between the 7th and 8th centuries. However, according to the current state of knowledge, it is not certain whether the tombstone belonged to a cemetery that was located on the hill, or whether it was brought to this hill for some other reason.
Today it is kept in the parish church of S. Sisto in Caldonazzo. The Church of San Valentino, which was probably built before 1259 according to a document from the Bishop of Trento, Egnone, stands near the site of the find. The small pilgrimage church has been restored several times in the VALSUGANA LEADERS over time; the year 1289 can be read in the floor to the left under the step. The apse has three lunettes and the ceiling has frescoes depicting the Madonna and Child in the centre, Saint Valentino on the left and Saint Rocco on the right. The writing "Ave Maria ..." dates from 1500, as evidenced by the coats of arms of Giacomo Trapp, who owned the church in 1463, and Countess Barbara. The altar and the statue date from 1628. In the A hermit once lived in the small adjoining house.It is believed that the Roman Via Claudia Augusta went over the hill just in front of the little church.The large wall to the left of the path testifies to the ancient castle of the Signori di Brenta, which was probably built in the 12th century and was destroyed again at the beginning of the 14th century.
Translated by Google •
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