Pistoia - San Bartolomeo in Pantano

"San Bartolomeo in Pantano" was founded between 726 and 764 by the Lombard physician Gaiduald on swampy ground (= pantano) . A Benedictian convent was established here under the protection of the Marquises of Tuscany.

In 1433 the Benedictines were replaced by Canons Regular. End of the 18th century the monastery was given to the Vallumbrosan Order, which remained here in 1810. Then church became a parish church.

San Bartolomeo in Pantano of today was erected mid 12th century, commissioned by Abbot Buono in 1159. The facade, divided into five compartments with arches, is characteristic for the Pistoiese Romanesque style.

The interior had been modified and altered a couple of times over the centuries, but a renovation undertaken in the 1950s broight back the Romanesque church. The pulpit, created by Guido da Como (aka Guido Bigarelli) got restaurated as well.


Below the left scene (Emaus?) on the bottom is the artist´s signature

"Sculptor laudatur qui doctus in arte probatur Guido de Como.."
"Praised sculptor proven and skilled in the art Guido de Como .."

He obviously was very self confident, just as his older collegue Giovanni Pisani.