The old church of Ponte San Pietro

Ponte San Pietro is a Lombard municipality in the province of Bergamo; it rises 224 meters above sea level and has 11,500 inhabitants. Located in the historic center there is the church of Saints Peter and Paul, a former parish church, called the old church by the faithful. It has always been the symbol of the country's community tradition. Built in 1708 with the demolition of the previous church and finished in 1722; many of the statues present, however, were added later. Unfortunately it is not always open to visitors but only during the Christmas period and in other rare moments, thanks to the commitment of a local association. The interior is in Baroque style with a single room with a vaulted ceiling; in 1698 the relic of San Clemente arrived in this church and was placed under the altar where it will remain until 1934. In the apse there are three precious paintings by Carrobbio, dated 1730; the side altar of the Madonna del Rosario is noteworthy, richly decorated with 15 paintings by Luigi Galizzi. Another important work is the altarpiece by Pietro Ronzelli placed above the pulpit. In the crypt there is a permanent exhibition of nativity scenes whose artists come from all over the world.