Rotonda di San Lorenzo

Piazza Erbe, Mantova

The church known as the “Rotonda”, affectionately called so by the people of Mantua, is dedicated to Saint Lawrence and is the oldest church still existing in Mantua today. Built in the second half of the 11th century, during the Canossa period, possibly on the remains of an ancient Roman temple, it has a circular form inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

It was likely part of the pilgrimage route to the relic of the Holy Blood, the most important in Christendom, discovered in 804 and still preserved in Mantua today in the Basilica of Sant’Andrea. For over twelve centuries, thousands of pilgrims have come here to pray before the Sacred Vessels containing the blood of Jesus, collected by the Roman centurion Longinus.

The Church of San Lorenzo, closed for worship and deconsecrated in 1579, was covered and hidden by surrounding buildings until it was forgotten. Only in 1906, after the structures built against it were demolished, was it brought back to light and restored. Owned by the State Property Agency, it is entrusted to the Dominican Province under a concession agreement.