The Collegiate Church of San Cristoforo is one of Barga’s most important monuments, a symbol of the village’s thousand-year history and an extraordinary example of architectural evolution. Its origins date back to a time before the year 1000, whilst subsequent extensions introduced Romanesque and Gothic elements, creating a harmonious and charming whole.

Over the centuries, the church was progressively enlarged, culminating in the addition of the side chapels and the choir. The current façade is clad in rough-hewn Alberese stone, typical of the area, which gives the building an austere and solemn appearance.

Of great value is the main portal, surmounted by an arch decorated with acanthus leaves and a bas-relief lintel depicting a grape harvest scene. On either side of the door are two columns topped by lions, symbols of the strength of faith. Even more interesting is the side portal, facing the Loggetta del Podestà, decorated with a bas-relief attributed to the sculptor Biduino, depicting the Miracle of the ‘Golden Cup’ of Saint Nicholas.

The bell tower houses three bells, which are still rung by hand today using the traditional techniques of the ‘doppio in terzo’ and ‘doppio a quattro’, keeping alive an ancient tradition that is central to the town’s identity.

The interior of the collegiate church has three naves and houses artistic elements of great value. Among these, the transverse marble partition stands out, crafted from finely decorated slabs of red and white marble, seamlessly joined to the magnificent marble pulpit. The latter, the work of the Comacine masters, is attributed to the school of Guido Bigarelli of Como and represents one of the masterpieces of medieval art in the area.

The Collegiate Church of San Cristoforo is not merely a place of worship, but a veritable treasure trove of art and history, capable of recounting, through its forms and decorations, the architectural and spiritual evolution of Barga over the centuries.