Look closely at the facade of San Rocco. Notice the frescoes. Two skeletons stand guard. One holds an hourglass the other a scythe. This isn’t just decoration. This is San Rocco in Romano di Lombardia. It’s a story etched in stone and paint a testament to faith resilience and the devastating plague of 1629.
San Rocco wasn’t always associated with such somber imagery. The church itself is relatively small around 40 by 20 feet. It’s a quiet sanctuary dedicated to a saint whose life is almost as mysterious as the plague he fought against. San Rocco the patron saint of those afflicted with illness the falsely accused even bachelors. His story is full of miracles and hardship. He lived sometime during the 14th century. He tended to plague victims performing miraculous cures.
The plague’s arrival in Lombardy was a catastrophe. Romano di Lombardia wasn’t spared. Fourteen percent of its population perished. Desperation led the villagers to invoke the protection of San Rocco. They vowed to build a church wherever the plague victims were buried. Construction began in 1631 when the plague finally waned. This is that church. This is San Rocco.
The facade’s macabre artwork is striking. The skeletons are stark reminders of mortality. Above them Jesus and the Virgin Mary watch over heaven and hell. Ribbons bear inscriptions. One reads Do not despise the hand of the Lord. The other Stretch out your right hand for the work. These words offer both warning and hope.
The macabre theme continues inside the sacristy. There you find a wood carving. It depicts a skeleton of a pope lying on snakes. Above it are a papal tiara parchment and an hourglass. The meaning remains obscure. The artists who created this church and its unsettling art remain unknown. Their work though tells a powerful story.
San Rocco’s story is a story of survival and faith. The church itself a tangible expression of hope born from a time of immense suffering. The striking artwork serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of life. It also stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering belief in divine protection. This is San Rocco. A place where history art and faith converge. Remember the skeletons remember the plague. Remember the hope that blooms amidst despair.