In the open Tuscan country, in the Casentino, near Pratovecchio, a Romanesque parish church with an unusual charm is to be noted: the Pieve di Romena (= Parish Church of Romena).
TEMPORE FAMIS MCLII. Entering the church, this writing on the first capital on the left points out the year and the circumstances in which this parish church was built.
The first impression you have of this church is that of a shorter building as the common ones. It is not a sensation, it is the reality. Actually, in 1678 the façade and the first two arcades of this parish church collapsed. Despite this, from the architectural point of view, Romena is the most important church of the Casentino. Here the Romanesque architecture is exalted; this is the reason why this church has been declared a National Monument.
On the top of every column raw, but fascinating capitals embellish the dark atmosphere. An atmosphere cut by blades of light entering from the tight single, double, triple lancet windows.
On the outside, the part of greater interest of the Parish Church of Romena is surely the apse. Facing east, like all the Romanesque parish churches, and lighted by the warm light of the morning, it seems to be a real sculpture that raises in the wonderful Tuscan country of the Northern Casentino.

For a web site with more detailed texts (only italian version):
www.ilbelcasentino.it