History of Lazise Pievans and Ecclesiastical Development from 983 to Present

Around the year 1000, the first glorious “Comunale of Italy” arose. Not by chance, Lazise also became a comune around that time, specifically on May 9, 983, thanks to the Diploma of Otto II. It was during this period that the first pievi (rural churches subordinate to a cathedral) developed in Italy. In the Verona area, they organized ecclesiastical arrangements for the countryside starting from the fourth century. They were modeled after the bishop’s church: in the town, the mother church with the sacred font and a college of clerics; in the district’s villages, subordinate chapels—pievans and private chapels. Rural pievi played a beneficial religious and social role. During the turbulent period of barbarian invasions, they gathered the still-vibrant sparks of civilization, states Don Agostini, who asserts that “they developed commerce around the temple, with fairs and festivals, cooperating with the great monasteries through the establishment of hospices for pilgrims, replacing the ruined Roman road system with a new communication system called monastic-pievans; transmitted from generation to generation, fostering the institution of the glorious comuni (municipalities).”

First Pievans and Ecclesiastical Activities in Lazise

The first Pievano in Lazise recorded in history is Gisemperto (983). In Otto II’s diploma, he is referred to as presbyter. He was one of the 18 heads of the town granted notable privileges by the emperor, including the right to fortify the old castle. Little is known about the clerics who operated in Lazise. However, as Don Agostini highlights, these are of great importance because they reflect the general history of ecclesiastical discipline: it declined with the fall of the pievi, during the Avignon captivity (1308-1377), and the Western Schism (1378-1417); it was restored later through the prescriptions of the Council of Trent.

The second cleric was Totto (1077). He is the first Pievano to appear with the title of archpriest. Along with deacons Lazzaro and Dionisio, he was among the representatives of the town who received important exemptions and the domain of the silva Ligana from Emperor Henry IV. The third was Paride (1170), the fourth Bono (1184), the fifth Nicolò (1273). And the list extends into the 20th century. Alessandro Mazzoni was the 44th Pievano, who took office in Lazise in 1906. He remained until 1932. He was the one who ordered the municipality to transform the bell tower of S. Martino, at the current cemetery, into a tomb with a chapel, tomb, and niches. A monument recently restored by the Administration.

From the Twentieth Century to Today

In 1933, Mons. Giuseppe Mantovani arrived, the 45th Pievano in the history of Lazise. The 46th was Don Sisto Valle, who arrived in 1953. He was succeeded by Mons. Zeffirino Furri, who then moved to lead the parish of Soave and until his death was responsible for the Toniolo Cultural Center. He left a significant mark on Lazise. After him, Mons. Giuseppe Boaretto took over, who was committed to building the parish youth center. Since 1982, Don Edoardo Sacchella has led the parish of San Martino, the 49th Pievano of Lazise.