CULTURE

Church of Saint James in Colderù and the Trail of the Frescoed Wayside Shrines

In 1995, the “Sentiero dei Capitelli Affrescati” (Path of Frescoed Shrines) was created along the ancient route connecting Lentiai to the little village of Colderù. Along the 800-metre path, there are ten shrines in which artists have depicted the patron saints of the neighbouring villages and some of the activities and traditions of the area.

The representations are, in order
• Saint James, protector of pilgrims and patron saint of Colderù (Cesco Magnolato)
• Saint Donatus, protector of shepherds and flocks, to whom the church of San Donato is dedicated (Riccardo Schweitzeer)
• Saint Juliana, with the palm of martyrdom, patron saint of Canai (Lino Dinetto)
• Saint Gervasius, flanked by a woman weaving on a loom (Gianni Longinotti)
• Saint Apollonia, protector of those suffering from toothache and patron saint of Marziai (Luigi Rincicotti)
• Saint Thomas the Apostle, with carpenter’s tools, patron saint of Ronchena (Vico Calabrò)
• Saint Michael with the dragon at his feet, patron saint of Stabie (Paolo Meneghesso)
• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, patron saint of Cesana, depicted among books, with the Virgin behind him and the Piave river in the background (Gina Roma)
• Saint Sebastian, protector of the suffering and patron saint of Boschi (Domenico Boscolo Natta)
• Saint Bartholomew, protector of shepherds and tanners, patron saint of Villapiana (Vittorio Basaglia)

There are also two older shrines, one with a simple rectangular plan containing a ceramic panel, and another more elaborate and decorated one, probably dedicated to the Holy Family.

At the end of the path that winds through the meadows, you will reach the village of Colderù.
The current Church of Saint James in Colderù is the result of a series of extensions (to the south and east), elevations and renovations carried out over the centuries, some traces of which are still visible. It was one of the richest churches in the area and possessed a substantial patrimony.

In 1926, a major restoration was carried out, commemorated by the date on the façade. The frescoes were restored in 1963, while the churchyard was renovated in 1992, when an ancient centuriation stone was also recovered, now preserved near the boundary wall.

The church preserves frescoes dating back to different periods, the oldest of which is a 15th-century Last Supper.
The remaining decorations belong to two distinct phases, carried out a few decades apart.
The four scenes of the first phase illustrate the miracle of the pilgrim: a German man undertook a pilgrimage with his son to the tomb of the apostle in Santiago de Compostela and, while stopping at an inn in Toulouse, the two were plied with alcohol by the innkeeper and accused of stealing a silver vase. Brought before a judge, they were found guilty and the younger man was hanged.

The father continued his pilgrimage and, on his return, found his son hanging from the gallows, but still alive thanks to the intercession of St James, protector of pilgrims. He then went to the judge to tell him the news, and the judge laughed and said, “Your son is as alive as the chicken I am eating”. Then the chicken jumped off the plate, further proof of the Saint’s power, and the boy was freed.

The compositional structure, figurative organisation, architectural perspectives, decorative details and colour choices clearly refer to the art of the brothers Giovanni and Marco da Mel.
In the 1560s, frescoes depicting episodes from the life of St James the Greater were painted: St James preaching in Judea, converting the magician Hermogenes, St James brought before Herod Agrippa, then chained and led to martyrdom, and the transfer of St James’s body to Compostela.

The little village of Colderù is also worth a visit during the Christmas period, when it is festively decorated with lights and handmade decorations by its inhabitants. Throughout the year, the Colderù Youth Group organises entertainment and social activities for children and families.