Basilica Cathedral of St. Cassiano Martire

The cathedral is located in the square which bears the same name. The original structure, built in the Romanesque style between the years 1187 and 1271, underwent numerous changes until finally in 1763, because of unstable structures it was completely renovated by the architect from Imola, Cosimo Morelli, and was consecrated in 1782.

The facade of the cathedral was remodelled in 1850. The inside, which is in a neo-classic Latin cross style, has a central nave and two side aisles, and is divided by Corinthian columns and clearly shows the symmetric and majestic style of Morelli. The main feature is the presbytery, which is elevated in comparison to the level of the Basilica, and has two staircases leading up to it, while a central staircase goes down to the crypt which guards the remains of the Saints Cassiano, Pier Crisologo, Proietto, and Maurelio.

Special attention should be made to the craftsmanship of the wooden benches, the 16th century baptismal font in the first chapel on the left and the beautiful wooden crucifix of the 15th century above the altar. There are numerous paintings of Angelo Gottarelli such as “L’esaltazione della croce”, which is in the second chapel on the right.
It is still possible to see the tombstone of Girolamo Riario, Lord of the town in the Renaissance.


Basilica Cathedral of St. Cassiano Martire
piazza Duomo 10
tel. 0542.22146 – 23572

 

Opening hours:
7.30am to 11.30am and 16.00pm to 18.00pm

 





Basilica Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Piratello

It is here that legend has it that on 27th March 1483 the painting of the Virgin Mary and Child, which was on a column at a crossroads, bestowed a miracle, and so Girolamo Riario and Caterina Sforza – Lords of Imola – had this sanctuary built and permitted the Franciscan friars to look after it.

The construction of the church began in 1491, and the building was enlarged many times in order to hold the large number of pilgrims who came to worship the image. This Renaissance styled building has a rectangular floor-plan, with a portal preceding the entrance and a large 16th century bell-tower 35 metres tall. Inside, above the altar, the famous painting of the Virgin Mary is kept, which is brought in procession from the Sanctuary to the Duomo of Imola in the month of May, and from there to visit the various churches of Imola during a week.

Recently in the west wing of the convent next to the church a museum of sacred art has been opened.


Basilica Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Piratello
via Emilia Ponente 27 – Loc. Piratello
tel. 0542 40455 Parish Church
e-mail: [email protected]
 

Opening hours:
7.15am to 12.00pm and 15.00pm to 18.00pm

 





Church of Saints Nicolò and Domenico

The church, along with the ex-Dominican convent, belongs to the large complex of the same name, which already hosts the Pinacoteca Comunale (Art Gallery) and is going to accommodate other museum collections, after a demanding period of restorations.

The history of this building is tied to that of the Order of the Dominicans, who in 1280 started the construction of the church and later on of the convent.
This gothic styled church was built in 1374 and in the 17th and 18th centuries was radically changed inside. The facade boasts a splendid terracotta portal, with a large ceiling rose built in 1340 by Iacopo da Cereto.


Church of Saints Nicolò and Domenico
via Quarto 5
tel. 0542.23443 Parish Church

Opening hours:
upon appointment

 





Church of St. Giacomo Maggiore del Carmine

The church and the convent are tied to the history of the Carmelite Order, who were already active in this area in the 14th century with a small church and convent.
In the 18th century massive renovations were undertaken by the architect Domenico Trifogli, and which totally changed the facade which assumed a neo-classic aspect; the front of the church incorporated the pre-existing portico.
Inside there is a beautiful main alter and the choir of the convent is work of Fausto Zamboni. In the presbytery, enclosed in 18th century cases finely decorated, are two organs built by Franz Zanin in 1993.


Church of St. Giacomo Maggiore del Carmine
via Emilia 32
tel. 0542.22392 Parish Church

Opening hours:
upon appointment

 





Church of St. Giovanni Battista

The history of this church is tied to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Malta who was all over Europe in the 12th century working in the hospitals.
Recorded evidence shows that even as far back as 1143 this was not just a church but a hospital which looked after the needs of the travellers and the pilgrims. This building underwent a total renovation in the 16th century, which closed the antique entrance and opened the new one still in use today.
Again during the 19th century the inside decorations were completed. The church still has a charming portal with coloured marble decorations bearing the coat-of-arms of Pope Paul III, dating back to 1541.


Church of St. Giovanni Battista
via Callegherie 60
tel. 0542.23169 Parish Church

Opening hours:
during Mass

 





Church of St. Michele and Convent of Osservanza

This monumental complex, which is made up of the Chiesa di S. Michele (church), The Santuario della Beata Vergine delle Grazie (sanctuary), and the Convento dell’Osservanza (convent), is the work of the Minori Osservanti Friars who came to Imola during the 15th century and settled in an area hosting already a church and a bubonic plague home.
The church of S. Michele was finished in 1472 and the two cloisters and the chapels inside the church were added later on. One of the chapels was a donation by Tomaso Feo, brother-in-law of Caterina Sforza: and in fact the funeral stone dedicated to Caterina’s sister Bianca Landriani and is still conserved outside, under a beautiful 16th century portal in front of the church.

The inside of the church was renovated at the beginning of the 20th century, but it still has a wooden crucifix dating back to the 15th century. The left aisle has a fresco representing “La Madonna Pacificatrice”, probably work of Guidaccio da Imola (1472). On the right of the church is the first cloister which was completed in 1478, while it is not possible to visit the second cloister because it is still used by the Franciscan friars who are the guardians of the complex.

In the garden, next to the church, inside a small chapel, there is a splendid 15th century “Pietà” in terracotta of Bologna or Faenza school: a group of seven life-sized statues, known as the “Piagnoni”, representing the Virgin Mary, the three Marys, St. Joseph from Arimatea and Nicodemo, who are crying the dead Christ. This latter one is the only statue which is not authentic because the original one was broken in the 19th century.


Church of St. Michele and Convent of Osservanza
via Venturini 2
tel. 0542.23572 Parish Church

Opening hours:
church: upon appointment
cloister: Saturday 14.30pm to 18.00pm; Sunday 10.00am to 12.00pm

 





Church of St. Agata

The church dates back to the 12th century, but the building, as it is today, is due to the reconstruction undertaken by the Jesuits in 1603 in order to build the new church and a convent next to it.

The facade, in terracotta, is rather bare while the inside has the characteristic aspect of a Jesuit church: a rectangular floor-plan with a large central aisle and four lateral chapels, in direct contact with the parishioners so as to favour the worship of the saints as indicated by the Council of Trento.
Inside the church many paintings of the 17th century can still be seen.


Church of St. Agata
via Cavour 71
tel. 0542.23169 Parish Church

Opening hours:
during Mass

 





Church of St. Agostino

It was rebuilt in 1354 by the Augustinian Friars, but the building underwent a series of modifications to enlarge it in the following centuries. The appearance it has now is due to the changes by Domenico and Cosimo Morelli realized around the middle of the 18th century, for the extension of the presbytery, the construction of the two large side chapels and the adjustment of the apsis. The inside, with one single nave and a circular vault, was adorned with stucco decorations around the middle of the 19th century.


Church of St. Agostino
via Marsala 5
tel. 0542.23512 Parish Church

Opening hours:
upon appointment

 





Church of St. Maria dei Servi

This church was built by the Serviti friars in the second half of the 14th century. It underwent important modifications during the following centuries.

Today’s facade is preceded by an open gallery, and it still has the sandstone portal of the 16th century carrying the coat-of-arms of the most prominent families of the past and of Pope Giulio II.
The inside, with its single central aisle and side chapels, offers over the central altar a painting of the Virgin Mary and Child which dates back to the Byzantine times, and acted miraculously in 1632 during the plague.

Near the church there is the 16th century Oratorio di S. Macario (oratory) which was partially rebuilt in the 18th century, while the front of the church opens onto Piazza Mirri. This square has just recently been renovated, and located on the corner towards the Via Emilia is a fountain created by the contemporary artist Mauro Andrea.


Church of St. Maria dei Servi
piazza Mirri 2
tel. 0542.22206 Parish Church

Opening hours:
during Mass

 





Church of St. Maria dell’Olivo

This small church is situated on the corner of the small square “Piazza della Conciliazione”, also called of the Olive tree. In ancient times there was a cemetery next to the Cathedral of San Cassiano. This church was built by the Confraternity of San Bartolomeo before 1452, but after it collapsed it was totally rebuilt in 1751 by the young and emerging architect Cosimo Morelli.
The inside, with one single nave, sustained by columns and Corinthian capitals. Two paintings by Angelo Gottarelli, “L’Annunciazione” and “S. Bartolomeo” can be admired within the church. Today it is officiated by Orthodox Christians.


Church of St. Maria dell’Olivo
piazza della Conciliazione 7
tel. 0542.22146 Parish Church

Opening hours:
upon appointment

 





Church of St. Maria in Regola

It was probably built in the 7th century by the Benedictine Monks, but was retouched during the centuries. Nonetheless this church remains one of the most interesting historical places of Imola.
Special attention should be made to the Byzantine altar, the sarcophagus in white marble of St. Sigismondo in the second chapel on the left (1372), and to the 12th century Roman bell tower visible from the side street Vicolo Laderchi. The brick facade and the inside, which is square shaped, are the works of renovation done by the architect Cosimo Morelli, who created a beautiful example of neo-classical style. The lacunar ceiling is a painted illusion by Alessandro Della Nave and Antonio Villa. Next to the church is the monumental cloister of the ex-convent of the Olivetani.


Church of St. Maria in Regola
via Cosimo Morelli 8
tel. 0542.23512 Parish Church
 
Opening hours:
during Mass (weekdays 9.30 – holidays 11.00 the days before 18.30)

 





Church of St. Stefano delle Clarisse

The church is an integral part of the adjacent convent of the Clarisse, recognizable from the outside because of its impressive facade with its characteristic balconies of the cells.
The complex was originally built in the 14th century but today’s structure is due to the design of Cosimo Morelli, who between 1772 and 1774 restructured the church according to the neo-classic standards.
The inside presents vaults with stucco and frescoed lacunar ceilings in accordance with the 18th century style. There is also a precious painting “The birth of Christ and the adoration of the shepherds” by Lorenzo Garbieri, a student of Carracci.


Church of St. Stefano delle Clarisse
via Cavour 2/h
tel. 0542.23210 Monastery
 
Opening hours:
upon appointment