Church Of San Giovanni Battista - Ai Voice MONTEROSSO

The construction of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, a splendid example of Ligurian Gothic architecture, began in 1282 and was completed around 1307, thanks to the work of the Maestri Antelami, Lombard stonemasons who left numerous examples of their craftsmanship throughout Liguria. The church stands in an area that was already of strategic importance to the community in medieval times, and it is no coincidence that next to it rises the old Genoese watchtower, later transformed into a bell tower.

The exterior immediately captures attention with its gabled façade made of alternating horizontal bands of white marble and dark serpentine stone — a decorative motif typical of Ligurian churches. At the center opens a large, finely carved marble rose window, attributed to the school of Carrara masters, who were renowned for their exceptional marble work. Below it, a pointed marble portal framed by a decorated arch leads into the central nave. The lateral bell tower, of military origin, still preserves the austere appearance of a medieval watchtower.

Inside, the church features a three-nave layout supported by sturdy pillars and pointed arches. Here too, the black-and-white contrast of the stone enhances the verticality typical of the Gothic style. The atmosphere is sober yet luminous, thanks to the narrow single-lancet windows that softly filter the light.
Among the most notable furnishings are the white marble baptismal font dating from 1360 and several paintings from the Genoese and Ligurian schools, as well as a 19th-century pipe organ that still accompanies solemn celebrations today.

An interesting fact: Some studies suggest that the 1360 baptismal font inside this church is among the oldest still in use in the Cinque Terre. Considering that Monterosso had an average population of between 1,000 and 2,000 inhabitants for centuries, and that until the 19th century dozens of children were born each year, it is estimated that between 10,000 and 20,000 people were baptized right here.