CHURCH OF THE CONVENT
The church of St. Peter dates back to Byzantine times, when the cult of the saint first began to spread in Grumo. Over the centuries the small temple became the centre of one of the oldest quarters of the town, a place where the history of the town was closely tied to the religious life of its inhabitants and where the walls hold the memories of generations who gathered in prayer here. The Concilio di Trento (Council of Trent) held between 1545 and 1563, dictated careful attention to religious buildings, so the archpriest of Grumo entrusted the church to the Franciscans, men of austere spirit but respectful of the beauty of sacred art. This became official on 28th June 1604, giving rise to a symbolic tradition: each year at sunset on 29th June, the festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, the monks would give the archpriest a cockerel as a sign of respect and devotion, a tradition which was followed until 1840.
Local landowners, the Castigliar family, sponsored the construction and extension of the temple and the name Francesco Castigliar is inscribed on the main pillar to the right of the entrance, testament to his role of reformer and promoter of the church. In 1605, with the generous contribution of Alessandro di Lella, the Franciscans obtained a piece of land adjacent to the church on which to build the convent, and from then on the temple was known as the “Chiesa del Convento”. In 1642 the building was extended: the date can be read on the architrave of the main window and two linked hands are carved in the crest of the order, recalling the bond between man and God. Three carved wooden baroque altars were added to the three original stone altars. The crests of the Castigliar family can be seen on one of the newer altars: a tower and two lions, symbols of power and protection. This church, with its altars, crests and Franciscan presence is concrete proof of the religious and civil history of Grumo, conserving the memory of the people and families who contributed to its construction and maintenance over the years.