Bagno di Romagna

Bagno di Romagna
Comune
Comune di Bagno di Romagna
The Medici coat of arms of the façade of the Palazzo dei Capitani.

Coat of arms
Bagno di Romagna
Location of Bagno di Romagna in Italy
Coordinates: 43°50′N 11°58′E / 43.833°N 11.967°E / 43.833; 11.967
Country Italy
Region Emilia-Romagna
Province Forlì-Cesena (FC)
Frazioni Larciano, Crocesanta, Valgianna, Selvapiana, Acquapartita, Donicilio, Ridracoli, Monteguidi, Spinello, Bucchio, Civorio, Vessa, Saiaccio, San Silvestro, Montegranelli, Paganico
Government
 • Mayor Marco Baccini (Visione Comune)
Area
 • Total 233.1 km2 (90.0 sq mi)
Elevation 491 m (1,611 ft)
Population (1 January 2009)[1]
 • Total 6,187
 • Density 27/km2 (69/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Bagnesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 47021
Dialing code 0543
Patron saint Saints Peter and Paul
Saint day June 29
Website Official website

Bagno di Romagna (Bagnese: Bagne ed Romàgna; Romagnol: Bagn d'Rumàgna) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Forlì-Cesena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) southeast of Bologna and about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of Forlì.

Bagno di Romagna borders the following municipalities: Bibbiena, Chiusi della Verna, Mercato Saraceno, Poppi, Pratovecchio, Santa Sofia, Sarsina, Verghereto.

A renowned centre for thermal cares (due to various natural springs that supply water at 47 °C, rich in sodium-carbonate-sulphur micro-elements) and nature tourism (due to its proximity of a 368 square kilometres (142 sq mi) national park, namely the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park, with woodlands, kilometers of paths in the woods, mountains and a major artificial lake.

History

Bagno di Romagna was originally an Umbrian dwellings, linked to the nearby town of Sarsina hometown of the Latin comic author Plautus. The Romans founded what became the actual town, whose Latin name, balneum (meaning 'bath'), came after its hot springs. At that time, it was a trading post and spa on the route between Rome and Ravenna, where the second largest Roman military fleet was moored and many the Roman legions had their winter quarters.

In 540 AD the town was destroyed by the Ostrogoths, Germanic invaders of Italy. The town recovered during the fourteenth century under the patronage of the Guidi family, who surrounded it with a line of defensive walls and developed a system of small castles to control the valley. Consequently some trade flourished and, later, the town was acquired by Florence and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The town was sacked by the Landsknecht army of Charles V on its way to Rome in 1527. Probably on this occasion the castle of Corzano was destroyed. Its ruins were later reused to build the religious sanctuary of Corzano and probably other dwellings.

It became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860, and part of the Forlì province in 1923, since dictator Benito Mussolini wanted the springs of the River Tiber, which are located nearby, to become part of the province he was born.

During the Second World War, in 1943 the town was occupied by the German army and found itself on the hot border (Gothic Line) between the fascist Republic of Salò and the part of Italy occupied by the British Army, which liberated Bagno di Romagna in September 1944. The multi-ethnic Commonwealth troops were joyfully welcomed by the population, who had suffered one year of dire straits and had witnessed brutal fightings between partisans on one side and Nazi occupiers on the other. In July 1943 about thirty local male civilians were killed by Wehrmacht troops as a retaliation for the killing of three Nazi soldiers by local partisans. As a result, the whole area developed anti-fascist sentiments that endured throughout the post-war period.

Peace and post-war industrialisation yielded economic prosperity and wealth. Small industries, businesses and tourism flourished. However, all of the non-agricultural activities concentrated in the two main residential areas of San Piero (population ca. 3000) and Bagno (population ca. 800), while many tiny mountain villages were depopulated or completely abandoned (now they are part of the many attractions of the natural surroundings).

Main sights

  • Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park
  • Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta (according to the tradition, founded in 860). It has a 39-metre (128 ft) high bell tower, a baptismal font from the year 1000, a tabernacle attributed to the school of Giuliano da Maiano and a notable portal with the crest of the Camaldolese order.
  • Palazzo del Capitano ("Captain's Palace"), once the seat of the Florentine administrators. It is now the administrative headquarter of the National Park.
  • Lake of Ridracoli.
  • Santuario della Madonna di Corzano, a small church and annexed hermitage, both perfectly preserved, located on a hilltop 678 metres above the sea level, facing the suburb of San Piero in Bagno. Near this lie the ruins of the castle destroyed by the Landsknecht in 1527.

Twin towns

References

  1. ↑ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
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