One of the most representative buildings of Pavia is the Basilica of St. Michael Major built with sandstone probably coming from the quarries in the hilly area of Santa Giuletta in Oltrepò.
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- Hilly area of Santa Giuletta (source Google Earth)
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- Geological study of the hilly area of Santa Giuletta with the presumed ex-quarry
The action of time has eroded the decorative reliefs of the church. The vegetation has covered the places of stone extraction turning them into a forest.
To read the now unrecognizable decorations we must consult the late 19th century reliefs by De Dartein.
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- Reliefs of the central section by F. de Dartein (Ed. Dunod)
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- San Michele area in Pavia (source Google Earth)
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- Plan of the San Michele area
The photos of the quarries and the decorations of the façade together with the night photos of the church help to convey the idea of the erosion process.
