BIBBIENA

Bibbiena, a village of medieval origin with Renaissance architecture

OSPITALITY IN BIBBIENA

RESTAURANT IN BIBBIENA

Historical re-enactment of the Mea in Bibbiena, to remember an event of the fourteenth century

Festival of Festivals, tasting of typical dishes of Casentino every year at the beginning of summer in Bibbiena

From producer to consumer, the small agricultural market in Bibbiena Stazione

Contact the author of the site

Bibbiena is located at the top of a hill at 425 meters above sea level. For this reason, it is clearly visible from a distance from any part of the world you reach. For the same reason, from the village we have beautiful panoramic views of the Casentino valley, in particular to the north, and the entire massif of Pratomagno.
The origins of Bibbiena date back to the second half of the 11th century, time in which the bishops of Arezzo, on the hill occupied today by the historic center of the village, had a castle built. This castle had to be the outpost of the territory of Arezzo on the upper Casentino, controlled by the Guidis. It se- ems certain that on that hill, there used to be a church dedicated to the Saints Ippolito and Damiano which will be, after destructions, refurbishments and extensions during the centuries, the current great main church of Bibbiena. The 11th of July 1289, the day of the battle of Campaldino, marked a negative turning point in the history of Bibbiena, since it belonged to Arezzo. Some days after the bloody battle, the Florentine Guelph winning troops besieged the castle, conquering it a week later. Then came raid and devasta- tion. The reconstruction of the castle started in the following years and Guido Tarlati da Pietramala, who had become the bishop of Arezzo in 1312, and Lord of this city and of Bibbiena as well, consecrated this new church in 1314. With the ambitious bishop Tarlati, the castle gained in prestige until the year he died (1327). Hereafter, there were many vicissitudes – which did not stop even when Florence conquered it – for taking control of the castle. In 1440, Bibbiena was raided and devastated by Niccolò Piccinino, a mercenary captain at the service of the Viscontis of Milan. At the end of the 15th century and later in 1509, Florence itself tore down the walls of the castle and a part of it, preventing it from being a refuge for their enemies. Today, the architectural testimonies of the fortified period of Bibbiena are very few. Next to the rear of the church, you can see the “Porta dei Fabbri” (blacksmiths’ door), a part of the walls and a tower. Also the “Torre dell’orologio” (clock tower) is mediaeval and it is located on the corner of a great palace that overlooks Piazza Tarlati. This is of mediaeval origin, but during the centuries, it was subject of many refurbishments, the last of which dates back to the end of the 18th century. Another testimony of the ancient castle is in Via Berni, where on the wall along the street there are a single-lancet window and a portal, the first is of Romanesque style, the second is Gothic. Bibbiena was born again in the 16th century; this is why it is considered the most Renaissance village in Casentino. Its architecture is characterized by the presence of elegant palaces from this period (can only be visited on the occasion of events organised ad hoc), the most famous of which is Palazzo Dovizi. In front of it, there is the church of San Lorenzo, where you can admire two big glazed terracottas dated approximately 1515 and attributed to Luca della Robbia il Giovane. The most important church in Bibbiena is the already cited main church. Here, there are many valuable artworks of different genres, which embrace a time between the 13th and the 17th century. Among these are a fifteenth-century polyptych by Bicci di Lorenzo and a Madonna and Child on wood from the same period as the Archangel of Cola Da Camerino. From the church porch, you can go downstairs through a stone staircase in Via Berni. There is here the San Francesco oratory, a wonderful example of Tuscan Barocchetto, the only one in Casentino.
The historical centre of the village is characterized by many paved villages that cross each other. Walking in these narrow streets is a real pleasure because, in addition to the already mentioned palaces that overlook it, we can observe many small but interesting architectural details.
In Bibbiena, you can also find the Casentino’s Archeological Museum. Here, the finds rediscovered by the Casentino’s archeological group during many years of activity are exhibited.
From the village, in a little more than one kilometer, you can reach the Santa Maria del Sasso Sanctuary. This place carries this name because it was built in order to honor the apparition of the Virgin in 1347 on a big rock, today visible in the inside of this sacred building. The sanctuary is an important and refined example of Renaissan- ce architecture in Casentino, where valuable art pieces are conserved.
So far we have talked about the ancient part of the country. Bibbiena then has a modern part much larger and more populous than the first. This is located at the foot of the hill initially mentioned and is crossed by the Regional Road 71 that comes from Arezzo. This area is called Bibbiena Station, for the presence of the railway station on the line Arezzo Stia. Combining these two parts you have a center that for size and population is the largest of the Casentino, for this reason the country is considered the capital of this valley north of Arezzo.

Bibbiena is also the capital of a large municipal area that extends from the valley floor to the National Park of the Casentino Forests. In this mountain part of the municipality there is Serravalle, a health resort that was an important medieval castle. A tower recalls the glorious past of this place.
Also in terms of castles is to mention Gressa, a fortified place that in medieval times was a summer residence of the bishops of Arezzo, as well as an important point of control over the territory. From the Castle of Gressa, in fact, you have a view of much of the Casentino.
The largest and most populous hamlet of the Municipality of Bibbiena is Soci. This village has ancient origins still witnessed in its oldest part, but today it is known as the most important industrial and artisan center of Casentino.
Two kilometers beyond Soci, on the road that leads to Romagna through the Passo dei Mandrioli, we meet the village of Partina. Here there was one of the most important Romanesque churches of Casentino, now integrated into a nucleus of private buildings, but is still well distinguishable in some of its architectural parts.
In the municipality of Bibbiena there are also other villages such as Marciano, Banzena, Giona, Terrossola. The latter, unlike the others, is located south of the capital. In its church, dedicated to St. Matthew, is preserved a valuable table of 1497.
Bibbiena and the villages of its municipality just listed are shown and described with the 100 images of this web section.