BIBBIENA AND NEIGHBORHOODS
PIAZZA TARLATI
In the picturesque Piazza Pier Saccone Tarlati (an ancient parade ground), also known as Piazza Grande, in addition to various buildings in a sober Renaissance style with some 18th-century echoes, one can admire the ancient palazzo del Podestà, with numerous coats of arms on its façades. Also standing there is the so-called Clock Tower, the remnant of the ancient castle destroyed following the Battle of Campaldino on 11 June 1289. A little further on is Porta dei Fabbri, the only preserved mediaeval gate, with the only remaining cassero watchtower.
CHIESA DEI SANTI IPPOLITO E DONATO
It has been the propositura of Bibbiena since 1744. It was originally the large chapel of the Castle of the Tarlati, lords of Bibbiena, and dates back to the beginning of the 12th century. The style is Romanesque. The very simple façade is moved by a beautiful stone portal. Inside you can admire valuable works of art, including: a triptych depicting "Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints" by Bicci di Lorenzo; a wooden sculpture depicting "Madonna Enthroned with Child" from the 14th century of the Tuscan School, from the church of Giona (a locality near Bibbiena); an oil on canvas depicting "Madonna with Child and Saints Michael and Anthony Abbot" from the 17th century by Jacopo Ligozzi; a wooden sculpture of "Madonna with Child and Saints Michael and Anthony Abbot" from the 18th century by Jacopo Ligozzi; a wooden sculpture of "Madonna with Child" from the 15th century by the painter Giona. by Jacopo Ligozzi; a 15th-century tempera on panel entitled “Madonna Enthroned with Child and Angels” by Arcangelo di Cola da Camerino; an oil on panel from the second half of the 16th century by Giovanni Calducci known as Cosci; as well as numerous frescoes of the Tuscan School and other valuable works.
CHURCH AND CHURCH OF SAN LORENZO
The Church of San Lorenzo, built on an earlier oratory, took on its present form in the 15th century, when it was enlarged and the construction of the Convent was begun to house the Franciscan Friars Minor. The façade, with two rose windows, was recently restored. The interior, divided into three naves, has undergone interventions subsequent to the primitive layout. The choir behind the altar dates back to the 17th century, while the tabernacle is from the following century and preserves two remarkable glazed terracottas placed opposite each other: on the right the Nativity by Andrea della Robbia and on the left the Deposition of Christ. The cloister of the monastery, built in the first half of the 17th century, is slender in shape with slender columns partly corroded by time, which has also ruined much of the frescoes on the arches.
SANCTUARY OF SANTA MARIA DEL SASSO
One kilometre from Bibbiena is the Sanctuary of S. Maria del Sasso, an architectural complex of great historical, artistic and religious value, the only Renaissance example in the Casentino area, declared a national monument in 1899. The Sanctuary takes its name from a large rock on which, in 1347, the Madonna appeared to little Caterina. It was originally a simple hospice for pilgrims and in 1495, with Father Girolamo Savonarola, it was elevated to the rank of Convent. The new church was consecrated in 1507. To the side of the façade is the bell tower, which houses an ancient bell from 1362. The complex is in Renaissance form with a simple façade preceded, on the right, by a portico. In the portal lunette is a 1486 fresco depicting Saints Dominic and Peter the Martyr. The interior is in the shape of a Latin cross with a dome and an extension for the nuns' choir. Worth noting, in the centre of the Basilica, is the artistic small Corinthian-style temple by Bartolomeo Bozzolini da Fiesole, which contains the fresco of the Madonna del Sasso by Bicci di Lorenzo. In addition, one can admire works by Jacopo Ligozzi, Giovanni del Brina, Fra' Paolino da Pistoia and some Della Robbia paintings of considerable interest.
THE DOVIZI THEATRE
A small theatre with one hundred seats “il Dovizi” is today one of the most important spaces for cultural activities in the area.
Recently renovated to a design by the masters P.Luigi Pizzi and Massimo Gasparon,
it recalls the building philosophy of the Galli architects.
ITALIAN CENTRE OF AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPHY
The exhibition dedicated to the ‘great masters’, as well as emphasising the importance that these personalities, for the most part formed in the amateur sphere, have had for the photographic culture of our country, places the accent on the attention that the Centre will pay to the study and valorisation of that historical period, starting from the post-war period. Many of the publications published by the FIAF, for all the two volumes dedicated to the neo-realist period and the ‘Dolce Vita’ period, are tangible evidence of this
THE CASENTINO VALLEY
Places of interest.
http://www.parcoforestecasentinesi.it/
http://www.santuariolaverna.org/
http://www.camaldoli.it/
http://www.parcozoopoppi.it/
http://www.casentinogolfarezzo.net/
http://www.centrofotografia.org/
Casentino
Situated at the extreme eastern end of Tuscany, the Casentino valley looks like an amphitheatre surrounded by chains of mountains; in the middle, at the bottom of the valley, flows the Arno river, which has its source here and winds its way along the entire length of the valley as far as Arezzo.
Because of its geographical location, the Casentino has always remained marginal with respect to all those events that have shaken Tuscany and Italy in general from the mists of time until today. First an Etruscan land, then a Roman one, a land of conquests by the Florentines and the Aretines in the Middle Ages, it is today administratively linked to the province of Arezzo.
La Verna
The mountain of La Verna is one of the holiest places in Christianity. Here St Francis received the Stigmata in September 1224.
The entire complex is definitely worth a visit, both for the works of art preserved (the most extraordinary collection of Della Robbia terracotta) and for the spectacle that nature offers in every season.
One really breathes an air of spirituality here.
In addition to visiting the Sanctuary, the various Chapels and the places of St Francis, we recommend seeing the procession to the Stigmata at 3pm.
Camaldoli
This is one of the liveliest communities of Italian monasticism. It was here that St Romuald founded the first community in 1012 and built the first cells and chapel.
Visit the ancient Pharmacy, which has been preparing various types of medicines with plants and galenic recipes since 1048.
From here you go up to the Hermitage, a few kilometres further up. Here, the monks live in small houses (cells) in solitude. It is possible to visit the cell of San Romualdo and the Baroque church where important works of art are preserved.
Poppi
The historical centre is perfectly preserved and the Conti Guidi Castle stands majestically on the top of the hill. Built in the 13th century, the castle is perfectly preserved and, thanks to the hand of the same architect, is reminiscent of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence in many respects. Inside is the Rilliana Historical Library (70,000 volumes, 600 incunabula and 800 manuscripts) and the permanent exhibition of the Battle of Campaldino in 1289.
At the other end of town, you can visit the Badia di San Fedele from the end of the 10th century, which also houses important paintings including those by Ligozzi and Morandini.