Founded in 1232, the church of San Giorgio in Acquate is among the oldest and largest in the Lecco area, and Manzonian tradition points to it as the place where Renzo and Lucia’s wedding failed to take place.
History
Dedicated to Saint George the Martyr, the church was founded in 1232 and enlarged several times over the centuries, becoming a parish church in the 15th century and, by the 18th century, considered the largest and oldest church in the whole Lecco area. Retracing the places of the characters of The Betrothed leads here: according to the popular tradition linked to the novel, it was in this church that the timorous Don Abbondio was to celebrate the wedding of Renzo and Lucia, before the threatening intervention of the thugs at the Tabernacolo dei Bravi forced him to postpone the ceremony — although another tradition attributes the same episode to the church of Santi Vitale e Valeria, in the nearby district of Olate.
What to see
The building has a sober, plain architecture, with a gable facade and a single nave covered by exposed wooden trusses; the small original bell tower, dating from the 15th century, is still intact. The church faces Piazza Sagrato Don Abbondio, a name that directly honours the famous Manzonian character.
Getting there
The church stands in the Acquate district, along the route of the Manzonian Lecco itinerary, a short distance from the traditional house of Lucia.
Practical information
The church is open every day to those wishing to retrace the places of the novel. For the schedule of services, please refer to the parish of Lecco.