La committenza di chiese in età longobarda

Based on available data from archaeological investigations and written sources, the phenomenon of foundations of churches in the Lombard age is analyzed in depth. Often churches were used to host tombs of representative of the Lombard upper class, and indeed such a custom motivated the foundation of many churches. In fact, besides perpetuating the memory of who passed away, a burial in a church, whatever of ancient or new foundation, was particularly suitable to favor the legitimization and recognition of the new sovereigns. From this perspective, the foundation of churches was a practical way to allow the cultural integration between the new Lombard leadership and the pre-existing Roman-Byzantine people.