Comune di Bagnara di Romagna

Bagnara lies within a network of secondary roads, called “stradelli Guelfi”, that run parallel to via Emilia; in the past, this network of roads connected castles, churches and stately homes from Bologna to the Adriatic Sea. Bagnara di Romagna is still imbued with this atmosphere; it is a town in which past and present engage in a constant and fascinating dialogue. The local castrum represents a rare example of Medieval fortress that has been preserved in its integrity; today we can still admire the 15th century Rocca Sforzesca, with the imposing walls, the entrance tower, four small ramparts and the moat.

The earliest place names of Bagnara are “Silva Bagnaria” or”Balnearia”; they relate to the presence of marshes, which were widely spread in the territory, as far as the rivers Reno and Po. At the turn of the fist millennium the town occupied a site which was about 1 km southeast of the current one.
Most historians believe that the settlement was destroyed on May the 8th 1222 following the defeat of Imola, owner of Bagnara, at the hands of Bologna and Faenza, which had formed an alliance. In the following centuries Bagnara went through a series of battles, lootings and negotiations between numerous powers that captured it through wars or received it as war indemnity. It was ruled by the bishop of Imola, by Uguccione della Faggiola, by various seigniories (Manfredi, Ordelaffi, Da Polenta, the Counts of Cunio, Visconti, Malatesta, Este); in the 15th century it was again property of the bishop of Imola, then it was ruled by Taddeo Manfredi, Galeazzo Sforza and Galeotto Manfredi. In 1482 it was ruled by Girolamo Riario, followed by the widow Caterina Sforza. It was conquered by Charles VIII of France and later by Cesare Borgia. From the 18th century till the Napoleonic period Bagnara was involved in the wars of succession that
took place in Romagna; after this it went back to the Papal States until the unification of Italy. During World War II the town was affected, like all the municipalities of Bassa Romagna, and suffered several losses in terms of civilians and soldiers. This finally marked the end of the long sequence of battles suffered by this town throughout the centuries.

THINGS TO SEE

CHIESA ARCIPRETALE DI SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA E SANT’ANDREA APOSTOLO
Piazza IV Novembre, 2 – Tel. +39 0545 76054
The church lies on the spot which was occupied by the oratory of San Giovanni; this is the heart of the historic town centre. It was erected in the 15th century, but later rebuilt and widened several times, in particular in 1653 and in the 18th century. The current façade presents a variety of styles and slightly neo-medieval features.
The single-nave interior houses some precious artworks: the altarpiece and the high altar are by the famous artists Dalla Quercia from Imola, authors of valuable plaster works imitating marble. Worth of mention are also the statue of Madonna del Pubblico Voto, the christening font, the 15th century tabernacle, the 18th century organ, as well as a number of paintings and pieces of furniture. The parsonage hosts the Museo Storico Parrocchiale Mons. Alberto Mongardi, which can be visited by appointment; the museum houses sacred art objects, including a wooden crucifix of the school of Donatello, a collection of devotional ceramics and the 16th century altarpiece Madonna and Saints by Innocenzo da Imola. The parsonage is also home to the Museo Storico Pietro Mascagni (visits by appointment); this is a fascinating museum for music lovers and for curious people alike.
The collection features personal objects of the composer, autographed photos, his piano, his death mask, several music scores and 4,600 love letters (written between 1910 and 1944) addressed to the Bagnara born chorus singer Anna Lolli, Mascagni’s muse and a great love of his life. The museum was created in 1975 when the letters were donated.

CHIESA DELLA NATIVITÀ DI MARIA
Via Camangi – Visits by appointment or during concerts This small church is located in the historic town centre and is used as an auditorium. It was built in 1452 on the ruins of an older oratory; it was then rebuilt after World War II.
It has a simple architecture and is a great venue for the choir concerts that are often performed here.

IN THE AREA

PRATI DI SANT’ANDREA
Via Lunga – Tel. +39 0545 76907
Prati di Sant’Andrea (fields of Saint Andrew) is a rectangular motte located along Via Lunga (formerly known as via Longa), about 1 km from the town centre. This is the site of the ancient town of Bagnara (Castrum Balneariae); it is an extremely precious archaeological site and a great source of information about the early part of the Middle Ages. In 2005 excavations brought to light the remains of a small medieval village; all the findings that were unearthed are now kept in the museum of the fortress.

SANTUARIO DELLA BEATA VERGINE DEL SOCCORSO
Via Madonna, 75 – Tel. +39 0545 76054
The sanctuary is 2 km from the town centre, towards Lugo. It was designed by the architect Cosimo Morelli in 1776.
It houses a painted terracotta depicting the Madonna with child, the icon that has been worshipped for centuries by pilgrims; the statue, once hanging from an oak tree, was allegedly capable of turning the muddy water of a pond into miraculous water. Sceptics will nonetheless admire the remarkable façade designed by Ricciarelli and the altar made of plaster imitating marble, also created by the brothers Della Quercia, like the artworks in the parish.

ROCCA SFORZESCA
Piazza IV Novembre, 3 – Opening hours: on Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and the preceding day, 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00; July and August, 10:00 – 13:00 and 19:30 – 22:30; other days by appointment (maximum 30′), 10:00 – 13:00 (tel. +39 0545 905501 / 76733); closed on Monday – Free admission; guided tours available (prior booking required), charges apply – Tel. +39 0545 905540 / 76733 / 905501; e-mail museodelcastello@comune.bagnaradiromagna.ra.it
This imposing fortress was built in the 15th century by the families Riario and Sforza, rulers of the town. The structure was erected on the ruins of a previous medieval castle, which had been built in 1354 by Barnabò Visconti; the original 14th century fortress was smaller and shorter and was the main defensive structure of the town. The current building has two symmetrical and identical towers, one facing east and one facing west; it is a remarkable example of military architecture featuring elements from the Middle Ages and from Renaissance. During the times of Caterina Sforza, the moat and the slits were modified, a beautiful portico was erected on three sides of the building, the donjon was built; the latter can be visited on top as well as in the basement. The eastern tower still retains elements from the earliest structure by Visconti. Defensive systems, such as murder holes, can still be seen; the courtyard has been recently restored. The main hall has eight remarkable 17th and 18th century paintings bequeathed by a Bolognese gentleman. The fortress’ museum (Museo del Castello) features a collection of archaeological findings documenting the history of Bagnara and its territory from the Bronze Age till the Middle Ages; the museum has various sections, including history and art displays.

Villa Morsiani
Via Pigno, 16/1 – Tel. +39 0545 76138; e-mail giovannimorsiani@libero.it
This remarkable stately home is near the town centre. It lies inside a centuries old park, boasting several monumental trees, such as a 30 mt tall oak and a black poplar which is more than 40 mt tall. The villa was built in the 15th century as a fortified building; the remains of the defensive walls are the evidence of the original military function.
The interior houses furniture and objects dating between the 15th and the 19th century; there are 16 fireplaces, one of which is a 15th century huge exemplar that almost occupies an entire room. This is the family home of the Morsiani and the headquarters of an important St. Bernard dogs breeding centre, which includes an international foundation for dog breeding studies.

MAIN EVENTS
Dates are subject to change. For information please visit the
website www.romagnadeste.it

LAST of JULY – Festa della Madonna del Pubblico Voto Music concerts, antique c ars and motorcycles meeting, food halls
ALL YEAR LONG – Concerts and music events at the auditorium

Tourist Information Centre
Piazza Marconi – Opening hours: Monday to Friday,
09:30 – 12:30; on Saturday, 09:00 – 11:00
Tel. +39 0545 905501; fax +39 0545 76636
e-mail turismo@comune.bagnaradiromagna.ra.it
www.comune.bagnaradiromagna.ra.it