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Quartiere San Vitale – Ex Convent
Under the long row of arches here are the local council buildings of this area of San Vitale. The ex-church on the corner here was dedicated to Saints Leonardo and Orsola dating back to the medieval times.
Now the city offices for this area this huge complex was home to the church and convent of the Cistercian nuns. Events are quite often hosted here.
The church tower seen here through a window is now transformed into a private theatre.
Further along the corridor is a stairway leading up the first floor. Ancient frescoes still decorate walls although badly worn away.
Up on the first floor are perhaps more tell tale signs that this was an institution from the long corridors and again worn frescoed doorways.
Through one is the presently named library dedicated in honour of Roberto Ruffilli. The plain looking library holds books relevant to local history and information for local governmental services. Other rooms are for conferences including staff offices.
Back down on the main floor again is further proof of the religious devotion once carried out here. Above this portal reads the words in latin ‘Silence’ probably indicative that this room was used for meditation or private reflection.
Next to here was the entrance to the convent gardens passing a well which was also quite typical of these buildings.
Access to this back yard is only possible from the rear of the building.
Beforehand though, on the far side of this complex in Via Broccaindossa, is this icon of the Madonna and Child called the Madonna del Monticino. It was originally painted by Carpi and dates to the 15th century. Previous restoration work may have taken place many years earlier by Ada Masotti. For certain though this painting was restored in 2008 and paid for by the local inhabitants of this street.
This area has been handed over to the local community group and hosts an open air cinema during the summer. When a new complex was constructed for the Cistercian nuns they moved here once the new church was blessed in 1599.
The convent was suppressed in 1799 and the premises turned over for use as an orphanage, hence the name of this particular zone being called the New Orphanage Arena. Alongside this play area for local children is an ancient fresco, now protected with a metal fence against ball strikes. A local school is also at one end near the entrance to this yard.
References
Giuseppe Sassatelli, Cristiana Morigi Govi, Jacopo Ortalli, Francesca Bocchi, Atlante Storico Delle Città Italiane Emilia Romagna Bologna I, Bologna 1996.
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