ROMANESQUE CHURCHES
in Casentino, a Tuscan valley with which you can get familiar in every detail through this site
Texts and photos by Alessandro Ferrini ©
Casentino art and history through its churches
The term Casentino is often associated with that of Romanesque churches. Rightly so, because this land of eastern Tuscany is characterized by the presence of medieval churches built in this very sober, austere style. The construction of the five largest and most famous dates back to a fairly limited period of time, from 1150 to 1170. A moment that coincides with the highest expression of feudalism in Casentino. These churches were built for the people, and the population participated in their construction by providing the workforce. For the Lords, who mastered the territory from their castles, they were a sign of luster. In addition, the parish was also an administrative body. Only here was the baptismal font, and funerals were celebrated here. These churches, therefore, served as a registry office. Over the centuries these sacred buildings have undergone renovations and architectural changes, despite this they are still capable of transmitting a great charm. When you enter them we are fascinated by the extraordinary capitals and it seems to go back through the centuries. The well-known Romanesque churches of the Casentino are those of Montemignaio, Romena, Stia, Strada, Socana. Then, now near Arezzo, we find the Pieve di Sietina whose construction dates back to the year 1000. Of course, in Casentino there are not only Romanesque churches. In small villages we find, for example, the so-called "minor Romanesque architecture", small churches of the usual style but much more modest in size, architectural forms and stone chipping. Then, in the most important towns as well as in small mountain towns, we find churches that can easily be qualified as places of art. Buildings of various periods and styles that are real containers of works of various kinds that span several centuries: from the end of the thirteenth century to the eighteenth century. Among these are the Propositura di Pratovecchio, the Abbey of San Fedele in Poppi, the Propositura and the Oratory of San Francesco di Bibbiena, the Basilica della Verna, the churches of the Hermitage and the Monastery of Camaldoli. Click on the banner for the description of the church
THE FAMOUS ROMANESQUE CHURCHES OF CASENTINO IN TUSCANY
THEY WERE IMPORTANT ROMANESQUE CHURCHES
THE HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE, ART OF THE CHURCHES OF CASENTINO
MINOR ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IN CASENTINO
THE CHURCHES OF AREZZO AND THOSE OF VALDARNO
THE CHURCHES IN CASENTINO OF GREATER TOURIST INTEREST Romena Romanesque church – Stia Romanesque church – Strada Romanesque church - Montemignaio Romanesque church – Socana Romanesque church with Ertrusca altar – Sietina Romanesque church – Pratovecchio parish church – San Fedele Abbey in Poppi - Bibbiena parish church – Church of the Camaldoli Hermitage - Church of the Camaldoli Monastery – La Verna Basilica