The parish was built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Bacchus. Of this previous structure only a plaque remains, which marked the burial place of a Roman child, now kept in the Museum of the Etruscan Academy and of the city of Cortona. [1]
Initially it was born as an Arian church, in an area that was owned by the ancient Roman family of the Gens Metellia, from which it takes its name. [2] Around the eighth century it was converted to Christian worship by the Lombards, [1] a people devoted to the Michaelic cult, as some early medieval sculptural fragments present inside the building seem to confirm. The first historical document certifying its completion dates back to 1014 and is an act issued by the Emperor Henry II, which shows that the parish was owned by the abbey of Farneta. [2]
Like all early Christian churches, San Michele Arcangelo in Metelliano stands near a Roman road next to a watercourse, which in this case is the Cassia Vetus Clodia, not far from the Esse stream. [2]
The parish church was rebuilt in the 11th century based on a design by the Arezzo architect Maginardo. The new building rested on the previous tower. In 1439 the tower was demolished as it was at risk of collapse. [1] The exterior was plastered in 1674. [1]
Since 1907 it has been considered an Italian national monument.