Badia del Borgo

Located in the municipality of Marradi, in the Faenza Apennines, the Abbey of Santa Reparata is one of the most significant places of worship and culture in the area. Also known as the Abbey of the Village, it is a medieval monastic complex that has played a central role for the local community throughout the centuries. The foundation of the Abbey dates back to 1025 when it was established as a Benedictine monastery. Initially, its strategic position in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines made it a point of reference not only religiously but also economically and socially for the surrounding areas. In 1090, the monastery came under the control of the Vallombrosan Congregation, a reformed order of the Rule of St. Benedict, known for its commitment to the purity of monastic life and careful management of lands. The Vallombrosan monks administered the Abbey until the 19th century when, following the Napoleonic suppressions and subsequent reforms, the complex was gradually abandoned as a monastic site. Despite the transformations over the centuries, the Abbey still retains significant traces of its medieval past. The mighty Romanesque bell tower, dating back to the Benedictine era, dominates the complex, giving it an austere and fortified appearance, almost more akin to a fortress than a monastery. On the left side of the church, extensive remains of Romanesque masonry are visible, bearing witness to the original structure. However, the Baroque facade and the 18th-century renovated interior tell of an architectural evolution that adapted the complex to the aesthetic and functional needs of subsequent eras. Inside the church, there are large Baroque altars adorned with 18th-century canvases, coexisting with elements from the medieval period, creating a fascinating dialogue between styles and historical periods. The Abbey houses important works of art, including masterpieces attributed to the Master of Marradi, active between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Of particular interest are the Madonna and Child with Saints Benedict, Reparata, John Gualbert, and Bernard degli Uberti: a work that combines archaic influences with refined decorative skill, characterized by the use of gold leaf and calligraphic details; Saint John Gualbert Enthroned: an image of great frontal and solemn presence, revealing the traditional approach of the painter; Painted Altarpiece: a faux fabric that opens in the center to welcome a roundel with the image of Saint Reparata. These works were commissioned by the Florentine abbot Taddeo Adimari, exiled from the city due to conflicts with Lorenzo the Magnificent, and demonstrate a connection between the Abbey and the artistic ferment of late 15th-century Florence. Furthermore, the church preserves paintings by the Forlì painter Antonio Fanzaresi (18th century), including: Temptations of Saint Benedict, Martyrdom of Saint Reparata, Saint Benedict and two saints adoring the Blessed Sacrament. For centuries, the Abbey of Santa Reparata has been a spiritual, cultural, and social reference point for the community of Marradi. In addition to its religious role, the Vallombrosan monastery played an important economic function, promoting innovative agricultural techniques and contributing to the management of the surrounding lands. With the Napoleonic suppression of religious orders, the Abbey lost its original function and underwent a progressive decline. Nevertheless, some parts, such as the church, continued to be used for religious and community purposes. During the 19th century, the Abbey experienced a period of abandonment, but its works of art and main structures were preserved thanks to the interest of the local community and some scholars.

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