HISTORY
The small parish of Gaione in the province of Parma, dedicated to Saints Ippolito and Cassiano, has survived a long and complex history. Its ancient origins are as early as the 7-8^th century, built in the early Middle Ages on the remains of a Roman structure. A small altar made of reused Roman bricks from this early building has been found. A Romanesque church replaced this early one around the 12^th century; the first attestation of its existence in 1111. But beginning in the 17^th century, the monument has undergone a series of renovations that have partially altered its original Romanesque appearance. The campanile, the choir and the south wall are from the most recent phase of restorations.

ART-HISTORICAL NOTES
The church has fortunately preserved its very simple façade, austere and unadorned, its rustic stonework exposed. In contrast with the south wall, the north side preserves some of its original cubed ashlar blocks. The church is a three-aisled basilica, with three semicircular apses in the east. Some 20^th-century restorations cleaned up the wall, in alternating courses of brick and stone, most evident in the cylindrical piers that support the five arcades of the nave. Even the capitals, chamfered cubes, were made of the same materials. The church is covered in a wood-trussed roof. Unfortunately the original apses were demolished following the 18^th-century reconstruction of the choir. Additionally, the pavement was lowered to its original level, with the intention of revealing the pier bases. Finally, in the course of the 19^th century, the single lateral chapel was built, and the rectory was enlarged. Excavations conducted beginning in 1952 contributed to the reconstruction of the east apse and to the rediscovery of the round base of the original baptistery in the first bay of the nave on the north side of the church.