Known more simply as Parish church of Corsignano, it is a Catholic place of worship located in the locality of the same name near Pienza... The Val d’Orcia, a #UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes the historic centers and much of the territory of the municipalities of Castiglione d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani, San Quirico d’Orcia... #tuttitaly
The Parish of Corsignano, consecrated to Saints Vito and Modesto is part of the original nucleus of Pienza, formerly known as Corsignano.
La Pieve is a fine example of Romanesque architecture originating from the 7th century and rebuilding in the 13th. Here, in 1405 Enea Silvio Piccolomini, the future Pope Pius II, received baptism.
Built-in sandstone is divided into three low and very simple naves. The oldest part of the church is the cylindrical bell tower, influenced by Ravenna, dating back to the 11th century.
This church attracts, above all, fans of esotericism because it is rich in pagan figures.
The icons depicted on the pediment are part of a single bas-relief depicting the man who became a monster, being prey to passionate instincts. A man who fights against seduction and intuitions and who, in the end, manages to overcome them. Thus, with his partner, who is at his side, he is ready to lead a life of righteousness.
The Siren, depicted in the mullioned window of the pediment, seems to be the tutelary deity of fertility. According to tradition, the Val d'Orcia was an area with an extraordinary ability to make women fertile.
Inside the parish church, a pillar supporting the central nave presents one of the few representations of the ruler snake. This figure - whose Latin name Regulum has the same meaning as basilisk - would be a mythological animal of the Umbrian and Tuscan folk tradition, with two heads, luminous scales, and wings.
He seems to be a particularly vengeful figure, apt to attack the opponent by intoxicating him. It takes cunning and a great deal of willpower to deal with it. The representation probably means man's continuous struggle between passion and faith, from which comes the warning never to let your guard down.
Another curious detail is found in the crypt, accessed from the door behind the altar in the right aisle, going down a few steps.
In the quadrangular column that supports the low ceiling, there is an incision depicting the initiatory square with a well-marked central point, which suggests the center where the earth's energies convey, the center of the Universe. It is advisable to turn on the light beforehand, and if it does not work, have at least one torch with you; otherwise, you cannot see anything.
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