Nobody knows for sure the year the Romanesque Basilica of Santa Giulia di Bonate Sotto, in the province of Bergamo, was founded. It was built in the Lesina area, named after a nearby creek, probably in the early 12th century.

According to folk tradition, it was founded by African martyr Saint Julia herself – although there is no proof that she ever even came to Italy. Others believe it was built by will of Lombard queen Theodelinda, but again there are no records to support this theory.