Bagnara di Romagna

A fine example of a medieval castrum, Bagnara di Romagna boasts a charming historic center, entirely enclosed by 15th-century walls, complete with an entrance tower and five small bastions. The symbol of the town is the Rocca Sforzesca, which still conveys the atmosphere of its time.Today, the Rocca houses the Castle Museum, whose archaeological section traces the area’s history from the Bronze Age to the Roman era and into the Middle Ages—represented by the important archaeological site of Prati di Sant’Andrea, a key part of Bagnara’s original settlement.Facing the fortress stands the Archpriest Church of Saints Giovanni and Andrea, dating back to the 15th century. It preserves valuable works, including the terracotta Madonna del Pubblico Voto, the baptismal font, a 15th-century tabernacle, and an 18th-century organ.The adjacent rectory hosts two museum collections: the Parish Museum of Sacred Art, which houses a precious 16th-century altarpiece by Innocenzo da Imola, a wooden crucifix from the school of Donatello, and a notable collection of devotional ceramics; and the Pietro Mascagni Museum, which preserves memorabilia of the famous composer, donated by Bagnara-born chorister Anna Lolli.Just a few kilometers from the town center stands the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso, designed by Cosimo Morelli in 1770.