Parish church of St. Lorenzo Diacono e Martire, Pegognaga

Pegognaga appears in documents as a land estate in 877, and as a parish of Reggio Emilia diocese in 980; San Lorenzo parish was likely known as San Lorenzo di Flexo in early IX century. The bishop of Reggio Emilia gave it to Boniface of Canossa in July 1012, then to Boniface's daughter Matilda of Tuscany in 1113.

By tradition, they believe that Matilda destroyed a previous pagan temple and built San Lorenza church. But, though this is an XI century building, no documents attest any countess' involvement. In late XVII century the church was completely abandoned. It underwent renovations only in early XX century, when it became a monument to the dead of I World War.

You can appreciate the Romanesque structure with three round apses, a transept, terracotta decorations along the roof slopes and the tripartite façade; the prothyrum was built in XX century instead.