Bevagna - San Michele

Bevagna, known since Etruscian times and part of the Papal States from 778 on, was burnt down by Barbarossa´s troop in 1152, but was even then economically strong enough, to have two churches built in the center of town end of the 12th century. San Michele is one of them.

San Michele´s portal has some interesting details. Below the sculpture of San Michele spearing the dragon and the "signature" of the two architects is this bird.

Actually there are even two birds, one on either side. The bird is so poorly carved, that the bird can only be a graffito. But to carve that is pretty timeconsuming - and when was it possible, to carve that, without anybody stepping in towards the vandal?