The Parish Church of Santa Maria dell'Acqua Dolce , also known in Monesiglio as the Madonna di San Biagio, is one of the most important Romanesque sites in the Bormida Valley. It stands secluded on the left bank of the river and retains the character of an ancient religious center linked to the scattered communities of the area.
The tour combines architecture, medieval painting, and popular devotion. The building, constructed between the High and High Middle Ages and transformed over the centuries, continues to be linked to the Marian feast celebrated in early September.
What to see
On the outside, notice the three semicircular apses , the Romanesque masonry, and the sequence of hanging arches that runs along the side. These are the elements that make the parish church immediately recognizable and demonstrate its antiquity.
The central apse preserves a cycle of Romanesque-Byzantine frescoes depicting Christ Pantocrator surrounded by the symbols of the Evangelists. On the right wall, there is also a Madonna and Child between Saint John the Baptist and Saint Anthony the Abbot, attributed to the 15th century.
Its location along the Bormida River helps us understand the parish church's role as a reference point for a wider area than just the village itself. To access the interior, check religious services or contact the municipality and parish.
