In the historic center of Verona, between Corso Cavour and the Adige river, a real architectural jewel of Verona rises, a little hidden from the eyes of the general public: the delightful church of San Lorenzo.
Completely destroyed by the violent earthquake of 1117, the building was rebuilt in the early 12th century in Carolingian style, but it seems to have origins dating back to the fourth century. During the reconstruction an addition was made that makes this church unique in the city: the matroneo, a detail that we can only find here.
At the end of the twelfth century Pope Lucius III, who settled in Verona because of the unstable Roman situation, granted this church the same privileges as the Basilica of San Lorenzo outside the walls.
The church has a Latin cross plan, with three naves.
Above the side aisles, the women's galleries overlook the central nave, which can be reached through the scalar towers flanking the façade, one of the rare examples of Norman architecture in Northern Italy, dating from the construction of the building.
The Church of San Lorenzo was restored in 1877.
