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Eremo di Ronzano
Up this tranquil narrow lane is the Eremo di Ronzano – the hermitage or retreat of Ronzano.
This building – in the hills and not far from Bologna – was originally a female hermitage when it was built in 1140. This painting in the refectory here was painted by one of the resident monks and represents how they help those poor and less fortunate in society.
The name Ronzano has almost certainly come from the Romans. The area though traces its roots as far back as the iron-age. In fact, a famous sword made of bronze was discovered here and found to be typical of those in alpine regions. It’s now on display in the Civic Museum in Bologna.
In 1475 the hermitage was rebuilt by the Domenicans. In the 19th century it became the home of Gozzadini and was often host to those illustrious people who enjoyed staying here no doubt for as long as they needed to recuperate. One of them was Carducci.
This is the wine cellar and has apparently always been so. Monks however no longer practice that old art and instead have passed the reigns on to an employee. The wine here is known as Pignoletto since it comes from this region.
White and red wine is produced here and also sold although in no great quantities as can be seen from only a handful of containers present here.
The Church and the convent of Ronzano were later converted into a college and Church of the Servants of Maria.
The interiors were decorated with frescoes by Bolognese and Lombard artists in the 16th century. It’s quite obvious from the state of the walls that most of the frescoes were lost over time and some are still being restored.
This is a 14th century bas-relief of the Madonna and child and made of marble. Only recently the hermitage has again been restructured in order to become a welcoming centre for pilgrims on their way to Bologna or for those wishing to escape city life for a while.
Members of the public also frequent this area even for brief stop off periods since there’s not really much to do nor is it possible to walk too far because the area is fenced off. Besides the fact that it’s meant to be a retreat visitors are probably not encouraged so much although there’s no suggestion to say that this is the case.
From a side door in the church here you can enter the cloister. It’s an incredibly quiet area where no doubt visitors may seek a few moments of peace. In the center is this beautiful and ancient well from the 14th century. It’s actually the work of Alessandro and Giacomo Boccadiferro. The inscription here shows that the well was restored in 1967 although by whom is unknown since the rest is illegible.
Back inside the church again and walking down the left aisle, there are more unfinished frescoes. Some of these are illustrating the life of various saints.
The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Gaudiousa which takes its name from a group who were founded here in 1267 by Loderingo d’Andalò de’Carbonesi and called themselves the Gaudenti brothers.
Others which display priests in robes and even nuns are obviously referring to the work of the Dominicans. This last one here again shows the Virgin with the baby Jesus.
One last dedication to the Virgin are these monuments on the hillside a few metres from the church. This one dated 1939 is also dedicated to Padre Paolino Maria Baldassarri who was a missionary in the Amazon and an ex student of this priory at that time. There are a few more leading down the hill to another building of the retreat.
And finally, at the end of the track leading away from the church is where the hermitage has buried their gold – in the form of this vineyard of course. Just beyond it in the distance is Bologna.
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