Shrines of Italy: Church of San Bartolomeo

The Church of San Bartolomeo has a long and fascinating history. Located on the Southern end of Aviano, it was first constructed in the year 1100 A.D. and stood for almost for 200 years before it was destroyed by a barbarian militia in 1293. As time passed, the church would be rebuilt and destroyed again, until finally the present version was completed in 1903.

The existence of this church today is a testament to the faith of its parishioners, as construction efforts were severely hampered over the centuries due to economic hardships, the onset of various plagues within the community, and the occasional sacking by foreign invaders.

Upon its long-awaited completion, the church was consecrated in 1912 and named after the Apostle Bartholomew, who has long been revered as the patron saint of Italy. His relics were sealed within the main altar by the Bishop of Concordia, and for the next 100 years the church would undergo substantial renovation under the supervision of several Italian architects.

The church as it is today, was not fully embellished until 2009, and a special ceremony was held in 2012 to commemorate the century-long achievement. Like many churches in Aviano, it sits largely empty and unappreciated by most of the modern-day community. But for the faithful pilgrims who come to visit, or the curious traveler just passing by, the Church of San Bartolomeo boasts of many beautiful treasures that are worth investigating.

Sometimes the best places to visit are the ones most people never go out of their way to find. And that’s definitely the case here in Aviano.