Bologna Ex Convento di Santa Maria degli Angeli
Ex Convento di Santa Maria degli Angeli Photos
About Ex Convento di Santa Maria degli Angeli
This building erected in 1330 used to be a convent for the Camaldolese monks.
The most exquisite detail is this 14th century façade showing terracotta reliefs of an angel in the middle and unicorns on either side, emblems of the Bentivolgio family. It’s attributed to Sperandio Meglioli from Mantova and executed around 1495 since he was working in Bologna during this period.
The convent was erected by Gera Pepoli who also donated its most famous art work by Giotto, otherwise known as Ambrogio Bondone who was active towards the end of the 1200s. It passed to several other owners over the centuries at one time even acting as the catalyst for launching an insurrection on behalf of Taddeo Pepoli. Other powerful owners included the Bentivolgio and Gozzadini clans. In 1598 it passed to the Montalto College.
On the wall in the large room used for meetings and conferences is this polittico – a polyptych which is a painting on wooden panels. It displays images of the Virgin and Child along with various other saints. This is only a copy of Giotto’s work since the original is now in the Pinacoteca Museum of Bologna. It’s thought that it was adapted after 1330.
The building is now a modern library called the Biblioteca Amilcar Cabral, named after the famous Guinean patriot Amilcar Cabral who championed pro-independence for African nations. This library specializes in politics and economics for Asian, African and Latin American countries.
Architecturally speaking, the internal design is beset with ugly, thick concrete columns and a roof that probably calls to mind something of a contemporary nature. A children’s area on the ground floor is very much built around a community spirit.
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