Casabasciana among Pieve churches, oratories and festivals

Romanesque Pieve and sacred art

In Casabasciana, Romanesque church architecture, devotion to the Virgin Mary and historic route connections come together. This creates a place where cultural interests can be combined with a journey through history. Churches, oratories, festivals and individual traces of the past shape the character of the village.

The Romanesque Pieve of Saints Quirico and Giulitta has three naves and eight columns with capitals featuring symbolic motifs. The altarpiece depicting the martyrdom of Saints Quirico and Giulitta is attributed to Giovan Domenico Lombardi (“l’omino”). The mortal remains of Saint Primo are kept beneath the church’s main altar. The church also houses an organ by Evaristo Santarlasci dating from 1890.

Oratories and historic local connections

Pieve Vecchia is a rather secluded religious building southwest of the village of Casabasciana. The old Pieve of Saints Quirico and Giulitta was founded along an ancient road that connected the Val di Lima with the Valdinievole via Battifolle. This historic route connection broadens the view beyond the immediate village landscape.

At the upper end of Casabasciana stands the Oratorio del Murrotto. An image of the Madonna del Murrotto is venerated there; this devotion dates back more than 300 years. Also at the upper end of Casabasciana, the Oratorio dell’Assunta was built in 1691 by the local residents Sebastiano Laurenzi and Giovanni Marraccini.

A fortification may already have existed in Casabasciana in 1165. In the nearby area, beyond Corona, stands the ancient 13th-century church of San Michele in Matriceto. For travelers interested in culture, this provides historical points of reference both in the village and its immediate surroundings.

Festivals in August

On August 15, Casabasciana celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in her honor with Mass and the recitation of the Rosary. The relics of Saint Primo arrived in Casabasciana on Pentecost Day in 1833.

Every five years, on the second Sunday in August, Casabasciana celebrates San Primo with festive illumination throughout the village and fireworks at the end of the day. On August 16, a dinner with music takes place in Piazza Cavour in Casabasciana. Those planning a stay around these dates can incorporate a religious celebration, a village festival and an evening of shared entertainment into their travel plans.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

Casabasciana can be reached from the del Brennero state road via the turnoff near Fabbriche di Casabasciana. When choosing a hotel in Casabasciana, you can match the location of your stay with your interest in churches, oratories, historic routes and the August events.

More destinations for your travel plans

For the rest of your journey through Italy, you can also consider Pieve Di Monti Di Villa, Benabbio, Lucchio, Lugliano, Montefegatesi, Crasciana, Fornoli and Scesta.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bagni Di Lucca.