Castel Guelfo di Bologna
Castel Guelfo di Bologna: The Municipality in Emilia-Romagna
Castel Guelfo di Bologna is a municipality located in the metropolitan city of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna, with a population of approximately 4,523 inhabitants. The name of the town derives from Castrum guelfum, a fortress built in 1309 on commission from the Municipality of Bologna by architect Romeo Pepoli to protect the population from attacks by Imola, the rival city. Throughout its history, the town has seen various landowners and was attacked by the Passatore gang in the mid-nineteenth century.
Physical Geography
The municipality of Castel Guelfo di Bologna belongs to the Nuovo Circondario Imolese and has a climatic classification of zone E with an index of 2271 GR/G.
Etymology
The toponym of the town derives from Castrum guelfum, the Guelf fortification from which it takes its name built in 1309.
History
Ancient and Medieval periods
In ancient sources, Castel Guelfo is almost never mentioned before the 6th century during the Lombard rule. The 11th century saw the territory included in the diocese of Bologna and corresponding to the "massa Meticiano". In 1218, the municipality was governed by Bologna. In 1296, landowners asked for the construction of a fortification in Bologna due to the conflict between Imola (Ghibellines) and Bologna (Guelfs). In 1309, the Municipality of Bologna gave Romeo Pepoli the task of building Castrum Guelfum.
Modern and Contemporary periods
In the 19th century, Castel Guelfo was the scene of the Passatore gang, which killed two Pontifical Velites and attempted to rob the house of a local landowner. In 1865, the title of Count of Castel Guelfo passed to the Hercolani family.
Landmarks and Places of Interest
Among the numerous landmarks and places of interest in the town, there are the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint John the Baptist, the imposing Palazzo Malvezzi-Hercolani which now houses the town hall, the Palazzo del Podestà and the 14th-century walls, equipped with four corner towers and the Cassero, once the gate of the wall, although today it has been embellished after losing its military functions.
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint John the Baptist is a masterpiece of historical art located in the historic center of the town. It was inaugurated in 1802 and then restored in the years 2010-11. In the church is preserved the oil painting on canvas depicting the mysteries of the holy rosary by Pietro Fancelli, one of the most famous Bolognese painters of the time. The work has recently undergone restoration.
The Palazzo Malvezzi-Hercolani, one of the oldest monuments in the town, was commissioned by Virgilio Malvezzi in 1448 and is now the town hall of Castel Guelfo. It features an ogival portal on the facade and lancet windows walled on the back. The inner courtyard is surrounded by two loggias in Renaissance style.
The Palazzo del Podestà, which serves as one of the seats of local administration, is also an architectural artwork. It has an entrance surmounted by an ogival arch and a tower similar to that of Palazzo Malvezzi.
Lastly, the 14th-century walls enclose the small historic center of the town and are equipped with four circular corner towers. The Cassero, once the only gate of the wall, was embellished between the 18th and 19th centuries after losing its military functions.
Castel Guelfo di Bologna is a municipality rich in history and historical artworks, which represents a tourist attraction for the inhabitants of the area and for foreign tourists.
