The Church of San Lorenzo in Marciana

The ancient Church of San Lorenzo is located in the valley below the village of Poggio. It dates back to the 12th century, when the Island of Elba was under the rule of the Republic of Pisa. It features exemplary characteristics of Romanesque art and notable stylistic and structural affinities with the Church of San Giovanni a Campo.

Although it no longer has a roof, the perimeter walls are still clearly visible today: the pattern of stone cutting contributes to giving the entire structure a sense of order and geometric rigor, even though the dimensions of the granite slabs used for its construction are larger than those of the other Romanesque churches on Elba.

The floor plan perfectly reflects the teachings of the First Council of Nicaea, with a single nave and a semicircular apse facing east (towards Jerusalem), so that during the summer solstice, the rising sun illuminates the interior.

A rare feature of this church is the different length of the side walls, which gives it an irregular floor plan; it is likely that this was designed to concentrate the visitor's gaze towards the altar.

The facade is extremely linear, with a gabled portal, an architrave topped with a full round arch, and the typical Greek cross opening.

As for the belfry, typical of Romanesque style, unfortunately, it has lost its original arched crown, and only the two supporting pillars remain.

The damage and abandonment of the building were caused by the raids of Franco-Turkish pirates in the service of France against King Charles V, who repeatedly plundered the island in 1553.

The church was dedicated to Saint Lawrence, who died as a martyr during the persecutions of Emperor Valerian around the 3rd century AD, and is still remembered today, especially on August 10th, the day when many faithful compare the meteor shower to the Saint's tears.