Bologna Via dell’Osservanza
Via dell’Osservanza Photos
About Via dell’Osservanza
This cross which is near the foot of Via dell’Osservanza is an imposing sight along the road however, there’s a historic reason for it. According to a battle victory in 1443 a group of the army march to the peak of this hill every year on the day before the festival to celebrate the Madonna del Monte. The group was made up of various religious orders and public bodies. Therefore on the way there are 14stations of the cross concluding at the church of San Paolo in Monte.
Furthermore to underpin the importance of this area known as Osservanza towards the end of the 1400s this was one of the main headquarters for the Franciscan Order and it’s from here where they helped to spread their message of Christianity to the rest of Europe.
The art work itself is possibly done in terracotta and is also illuminated with bright colours and fine detail. Under each piece is a written inscription although most if not all are too badly worn away with time to be legible now but there are some clues to show that each one recalls the memory of a certain person or family.
Finally, at the top is this church called San Paolo in Monte. Beyond this wall is a convent although the buildings are also used in a commercial sense such as organising conferences etc.
The church was built in 1403 but most of it was destroyed during the Napoleonic era in 1812. Vincenzo Vannini however rebuilt it in 1828 in a neo-classical style. Around the side is this small chapel dedicated to St Anthony of Padova and to the memory of the early 13th century Magistero Bolognese– this is perhaps a reference to some ancient teaching school.
From the views of Bologna around this hill top it’s probably no surprise then that this zone being called Osservanza meaning observance literally refers to the strategic geographic position and in the past did in fact offer a distinct advantage of being out of the way.