Edifici e complessi ecclesiastici in Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta (IV-VII secolo): note su aspetti costruttivi, dispositivi liturgici e usi dello spazio

[Machine translation] The vast territory corresponding to the Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta regions, thanks to intense archaeological activity carried out in recent decades, has returned a significant amount of data concerning numerous early Christian buildings and cultural complexes. On this basis, the article proposes some reflections that attempt to relate aspects that are often little considered or rarely connected to each other, such as architecture, construction systems, building materials, floor and wall coverings, and liturgical furnishings. The picture that emerges is that of a territory dotted with diversified presences, in which urban episcopal complexes are accompanied by churches sometimes of considerable commitment in the suburbs (first of all San Lorenzo di Aosta) and important centers in the area, such as baptismal churches or others of uncertain function that, however, show complex structures and considerable decorative attention. Finally, many new data concern liturgical furnishings, essential elements for the definition of space and its uses., The vast territory currently including Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, thanks to intense archaeological activity carried out in recent decades, has yielded a considerable amount of data concerning a number of early Christian buildings and complexes. On this basis, the article proposes some reflections attempting to relate different aspects, often little considered or rarely intertwined, such as architecture, construction systems, building materials – floor and wall –coverings, and liturgical furniture. The overview that emerges is that of a territory dotted with diversified presences, in which the urban episcopal complexes are flanked in the suburbium by churches sometimes of important commitment (first and foremost San Lorenzo in Aosta). Furthermore, in the territory, important centres, such as baptismal churches or other ecclesiastical centres of uncertain function, show elaborated installations and display remarkable decorative patterns. Finally, much new data concerns liturgical furniture, representing essential elements in the definition of space and its uses.