CORNIGLIA, Church Of San Pietro - Ai Voice

In the upper part of the village of Corniglia stands the parish church of San Pietro, considered one of the most interesting examples of Ligurian Gothic architecture in the Cinque Terre.
The church was built in 1334 at the behest of the noble Fieschi family and incorporates the remains of an earlier chapel from the 11th century, which are still visible on one side.
The construction was carried out by the Maestri Comacini, an ancient guild of master builders from Lake Como.

The façade, made of local stone and featuring a characteristic gabled profile, fascinates visitors with its sculpted details. At its center stands a large Gothic rose window in white Carrara marble, richly inlaid and crafted in 1351 by masters Matteo and Pietro da Campilio. Looking closely, one can see at the very center of the rose window the figure of a deer — the symbol of the village of Corniglia.
Above the entrance portal, in the lunette, are marble sculptures from the 14th century depicting Saint Peter alongside the kneeling donor, as well as a plaque with the church’s founding date.
The entire façade is crowned by a row of small decorative arches that continues along the sides and around the apse; beneath these arches are several stone carvings of animals.
Next to the church rises the octagonal bell tower, topped with a conical spire, which completes the architectural composition.

Inside, the church features a basilica plan with three naves and barrel vaults, later enriched with Baroque-style decorations that create a vivid contrast with the simplicity of the Gothic exterior.
Among the most valuable elements are the marble baptismal font from the 12th century and an exquisite polyptych placed on a side altar. The church also houses four wooden statues from the 17th century depicting the Four Evangelists.
In more recent times, two stained-glass windows were added, created by Trento Longaretti, a renowned artist from Bergamo who lived and worked in Corniglia.

An interesting fact: The patron saint of Corniglia is Saint Peter himself, and his feast is celebrated every year on June 29th. On this occasion, the village prepares a traditional dessert called Torta dei Fieschi, named after the Fieschi family who commissioned the construction of the church. It is made with ladyfingers, chocolate, and whipped cream.