Bagnolo
Exploring the Bagnolo Fraction in Santa Fiora
Hello friends, I want to tell you about Bagnolo, an Italian fraction located in the municipality of Santa Fiora, in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany. Bagnolo is Santa Fiora's largest and most populous fraction, located to the east and close to the mountains.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Bagnolo has great historical importance, as there are two very ancient and religiously significant churches: the Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary, built in 1863, and the Church of the Madonna del Rosario, dating back to 1310. Both churches have been renovated over the years, but have maintained their original beauty.
Furthermore, there was a convent of the Order of Saint Augustine dedicated to Saint Barbara in Bagnolo, which was moved to Santa Fiora due to the presence of the Cadone ditch, which caused the progressive sinking of the building. To commemorate the history of the convent, a tombstone dated 1254 was placed at the entrance of the Church of Sant'Agostino in Santa Fiora.
Bagnolo is also famous for its seven fountains, where laundry was once washed and pack animals were watered. Among the seven fountains there are the Spilli fountain, the Piazze fountain, the Baldina fountain, the fontanino, the Faggia fountain, the Perino fountain and the Convent or Monache fountain.
Demographic Evolution
Bagnolo has undergone significant demographic changes over the years. In 1833 it had 885 inhabitants, in 1840 there were 1016, in 1845 there were 951, in 1921 it became home to 1697 inhabitants and in 1931 it dropped to 1219. In 1961 there were 1094 inhabitants, of whom 664 were in the inhabited center, while in 1981 there were 801 inhabitants (575 in the inhabited center). Finally, in 2001 the inhabitants of the entire fraction were not counted and in 2011 there were 612 inhabitants in the inhabited center.
Traditions and Folklore
The Palio dei somari is held every third Sunday of August in Bagnolo and represents a very ancient and lively tradition. The race officially began in 1960 and was renewed in 2002, where the eight districts that make up the town participate in the competition. The party starts the night before, on Saturday, with local poor products prepared by the inhabitants of Bagnolo and distributed for free, then continues the next morning with the Holy Mass and the blessing of the donkeys. In the afternoon there is a historical parade that crosses the town and finally the Palio race. In the evening there are celebrations and the awarding of the winning district, which then organizes a lunch for all the inhabitants of the other districts in the following days.
In conclusion, visiting Bagnolo is a wonderful experience, as it is rich in nature, history and tradition. If you are in Tuscany, don't miss the opportunity to explore this beautiful fraction of Santa Fiora and enjoy its rustic and charming charm. I'm sure you'll come home with many unforgettable memories!
