San Martino In Argine
Welcome to San Martino in Argine!
Hello everyone! Today I will tell you about San Martino in Argine, a small hamlet in Molinella in the metropolitan city of Bologna. This place is a real hidden gem, often unknown to many, but deserves to be discovered. In this text we will talk about the history of San Martino, the places of interest to visit, and some curiosities of the area.
History: San Martino Pieve
The heart of the small town is represented by the church of San Martino, but in the past it was the pieve of the same name, an ancient place of worship in the area. This pieve dates back to the year one thousand and the entire surrounding area depended on it, up to the "Corte del Poggio" (Molinella). However, over time, the population of the area struggled to reach the pieve during the winter months, as the road through the "Valle di Barattino" was often flooded. For this reason, in the middle of the 14th century, the community of the "Corte" decided to create an autonomous parish, namely the Parish of San Matteo alla Molinella. From that moment on, the centrality of the pieve of San Martino began to decline.
Places of interest: San Martino Church
Now, the center of San Martino in Argine is represented by the church of San Martino. The current building dates back to 1727 and was built on the ancient church dating back to 1390. Unfortunately, the interior is currently not accessible, but from the outside, one can admire its grandeur. Both outside and inside, the building is characterized by numerous frescoes and decorations.
Places of interest: Santa Maria della Corla Sanctuary (in ruins)
Anyone visiting San Martino in Argine cannot miss the Santa Maria della Corla Sanctuary. This sanctuary takes its name from the "Corla," a stream that originates in the area. The sanctuary was founded in the 15th century near a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna and, due to the miraculous image preserved there, it ended up attracting many faithful. It was thus that, in the 16th century, a much larger church than the original one was erected, which we can still admire today. In 1608, the Third Order of St. Francis built a convent near the church. However, in the middle of the 18th century, the number of faithful began to thin out and the monks no longer had the means to sustain the complex, and at the beginning of the 19th century, the sanctuary was deconsecrated and abandoned. Today, the complex is in ruins due to numerous collapses, but one can still admire the imposing external structure of the 16th-century church and the convent.
Places of interest: Villa Ghisleri
Another attraction, if you're in the area, is Villa Ghisleri, a magnificent villa from the 16th century, heavily renovated in the 18th century. The villa was saved from ruin thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte's general, Giuseppe Grabinski. Although it is not possible to visit the interior, the outside of the villa is very impressive.
Curiosities
Finally, I will note a curiosity. The toponym of San Martino in Argine does not refer to the current embankment of the Idice, which was diverted to that area only in 1816, but probably from the corruption of "Argelle," a small stream that passed in the area.
Conclusions
San Martino in Argine is a place that deserves a visit, especially to appreciate the imposing church of San Martino and the Santa Maria delle Corla Sanctuary, even though it is currently in ruins. Villa Ghisleri represents a magnificent attraction if you want to admire another example of historical architecture in the area. In addition, the natural landscape surrounding San Martino in Argine is very suggestive and we invite you to take the time to take a walk along one of the many hiking trails that cross the area.
