• SAN MARTINO DI CASALECCHIO DI RENO

• Via Bregoli 3, 40033 Casalecchio di Reno

• CALL

• Weekdays: 8.30-12.00 noon; 4.30-7.00pm; Sundays and holidays: 7.30 am-12.30 pm; 2.30-6.00 pm

• paxtibi@libero.it

• The Church of St. Martin's was founded by Martinian monks in the 7th century at the foot of the hill known as Monte Castello. The complex, comprised of a church and a monastery was detroyed by the Magyars during their raids into Bolognese territory in 904 and again in 937, but it was immediately rebuilt. After the year 1000 the monastery fell into disuse and neglect. Only the church remained active, falling under the jurisdiction of the Canons of St. Mary of Reno. The building, which has undergone numerous rennovations over the centuries, owes its current appearance to the project by Edoardo Collamarini, the famous Bolognese architect (1863-1928), who began the work in 1926. The airy façade recalls lines of 17th century churches, while the octagonal dome lends a lofty air to the structure. While the single-naved interior is stark and austere, it is adorned with several noteworthy works of art, such as the large altarpiece by Bolognese artist Emilio Taruffi. On the left side of the aspe hangs a painting of the Blessed Virgin with St. Lucy and St. Agatha by Dioniso Calvart. The entrance is graced by frescoes by Lambertini. A Madonna of the Rosary with the fifteen Mysteries painted by Elisabetta Sirani is found on the back wall, together with a late 19th century wooden crucifix. There are also two works by the Bolognese painter, Fabio Frabbi, who adopted Casalecchio as his home, depicting St. Rita and St. John Bosco.