I went to the Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle expecting to something which is centuries old. The monastery itself has been in existence since the 700s as well as the church and chapels inside, and yet, somehow I’m not feeling the age of this place. I entered what I think is the main church or what is also called the Lombard Temple. I am not sure why it was called a temple since it is clearly a Christian church. The Lombard temple is supposedly more than a thousand years old and yet here it looks like it was built yesterday. The main hall is actually smaller than normal churches I have seen here. There is a beautiful altar at one end of the hall and yes, it also looks like it has only been built recently.

In fact, part of the church has been turned into an art exhibition hall. They even have performances here once in a while. While I was looking at the altar, what I didn’t realize was that the important part is actually behind me. There is a beautifully preserved Lombard art and architecture which is considered to be the best of its kind in Italy. Figures of saints are carved on the wall and arches are carved with incredible detail. I would like to believe that is what is here but I can’t see any of it. There is wall which covers the entire thing as it seems to be under renovation. The walls are printed of images of how it is supposed to look like but of course, it is just something printed. The real thing would have been nice to see. I wasn’t sure if this was it since they never told me that the main temple was under renovation. I’m hoping that I am just mistaken.

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