Art and Culture in Bagno di Romagna
La Verna: the most important sanctuary of the Franciscanism
The Sanctuary of La Verna, located just 40 km from Bagno di Romagna, is one of the most important places that represent the spirit of the Apennines. In fact, La Verna rises on an isolated rock that emerges from the forest with nearly vertical edges and rocky cliffs, borders scattered with huge masses of stone split by big fractures that form cavities and caverns. In this place, S. Francis of Assisi retired in solitude and intimate communion with nature and God, culminating in the sharing of the Stigmata (1224).
Today in the nature of La Verna, art and faith live together: the plain and massive buildings of the Sanctuary located on a flat terrace interrupting the slope, the so-called Scogliera delle Stimmate (the Reef of the Stigmata), the huge rock, named "Sasso spicco" (the "Projecting rock") almost hanging in space and under which S. Francis used to pray, the small church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the luminous Corridoio delle Stimmate (Corridor of the Stigmata), the Basilica and its beautiful and shining "robbiane", the peak of the Mount Penna (1283 m) that one can reach by passing through an age-old forest of beech and pine trees, the "Quadrante" and its sundials, form all together a unique example of great splendor.
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta: between the Romanesque Age and the Renaissance
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Bagno di Romagna, which was already documented in the year 861, has undergone deep renovations throughout the centuries: Romanesque details are only visible in its exterior. It has a single nave with seven chapels on each side. The restoration works in 1958-60 brought to light the Romanesque portal with columns, on which the Renaissance style was superimposed. Thanks to recent works, the Basilica owns stylistic unity and a better fruition of the important artistic works that are kept here, whose quality and quantity make it a unique basilica within that territory called "Tuscan Romagna".
Among them, we mention: the triptych by Neri di Bicci (1455), the beautiful statue in polychrome terracotta representing Saint Agnes by Andrea della Robbia, a terracotta relief from the workshop of Donatello and a Virgin by the Master of Sant’Ivo.
The Basilica, that was the hub of the village’s religious life, is now the scene of classical music shows that explore the acoustics inspired by the natural world.
Palazzo del Capitano: the echo of the Tuscan Renaissance
Il Palazzo del Capitano (The Captain Palace) is one of the most important and historically rich buildings of Bagno di Romagna: its façade, animated by the stony armorial bearings of Captains and Vicars, tells about the long domination of Florence on this area of Romagna, which began in 1404 and ended up in 1923, when the Municipality of Forlì became Province. The palace has always been the hub of the political power since the Middle Ages, when it was the residence of the Counts Guidi di Bagno; the Florentine government carried out functional readjustments according to the new requirements and the Captains’ armorial bearings who followed one another in the territory management made Florence rule clear.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the palace became first municipal seat and then the Royal Carabinieri barracks and district penitentiary, undergoing profound modifications over time.
After being completely abandoned in the early Fifties, it has been acquired by the Municipal Administration that renovated it throughout various stages (1984, 1994). Today, it houses the Library and the Municipal Historical Archives, the Tourist Information Office (IAT), the Visitor Center of the "Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park". The rooms on the first floor welcome regular exhibitions and conferences.
Ufficio IAT (Tourist Information Office)
Tel. +39 0543 911046 - fax +39 0543 911026
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.bagnodiromagnaturismo.it
