The church of San Lorenzo is situated in Abbadia Lariana, a stone’s throw from the waters of Lake Como. Built in the 13th century for the Servite Fathers, the small single nave church rose on the ruins of a previous Benedictine Abbey and was dedicated to Saints Vincent and Anastasio.
In the 18th century the church was renamed San Lorenzo, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, and in 1888 it was extended and completely renovated with the additon of two naves at the sides of the building, the walls were enlarged and the ceiling was raised. In 1915 the interior was frescoed by the painter Luigi Tagliaferri (1841-1927). In the centre of the vault, Tagliaferri painted a fresco of the martyr Saint Lawrence being carried by angels to Heaven. The pillars supporting the vault feature the twelve apostles and other lovely frescoes can be sen in the apse and above the organ.
The high altar, an exquisite wooden piece from the 17th century, is located in the chancel which is entirely paved in pink marble. At the sides of the altar there are two paintings by the artist Buzzoni of the life of Saint Lawrence. Of further interest are the two large paintings on either side of the entrance to the parish church depicting the devotion of Saint Augustine.
Recent restoration work was carried out on the ceiling and interior to ensure the conservation of this lovely building. Beside the church of San Lorenzo you can still see the Cloister of the ancient Benedictine Abbey and in the Chiesa Rotta (Broken Church) park you can see ruins of the early parish church dedicated to Saint Lawrence.
Click here to visit the official website of the parish of Abbadia Lariana
