Lizzano in Belvedere - San Mamante

Just behind the pretty new Neo-Byzantine parish church (see previous upload), hidden in the shadow of the (as well new) campanile stands this round building, erected by Lombards after in 751 King Aistulf had conquered the Exarchate of Ravenna and so ended the Byzantine influence here. This rotunda, named "delubro", was erected mid 8th century, when the area had been transferred to the Nonantola Abbey.

It is claimed locally, that this is the most ancient stone monument in the whole Province of Bologna. It was probably used as a baptistery first. In the 12th century it was used as the base of the bell tower - and remained so upto 1951, when the old tower was demolished.

The rotunda is not exactly round, but has an elliptical floorplan (4,40 m x 3,85 m).