Comune di Romagnese
The parish churches are located in the main town of Romagnese, dedicated to San Lorenzo, in the hamlet of Gabbione, dedicated to the Maternity of the Virgin Mary and to San Carlo, and in the tourist resort of Casa Matti dedicated to Christ the Worker. Walking along the numerous trails that lead from one hamlet of the municipality to another, you can come across small and characteristic oratories, built over the centuries by the inhabitants of the various hamlets of Romagnese. With the exception of the Zuccarello oratory, which can only be reached on foot, all the others can be visited by car.
Parish Church of San Lorenzo
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The village of Romagnese is dominated by the parish church dedicated to San Lorenzo.An older church dedicated to the same saint is cited in some documents as the "Della Gera" church which is located on the right bank of the Tidone stream, in the place that is now commonly called the Cenotafio degli Alpini. The construction of the current parish church began around the mid-16th century, but was only completed in 1728. In that year, the church was enlarged and a gallery supported by stone columns was added at the entrance; subsequently, a second grandstand was built above the first... [ continues in the article]
Cenotafio degli Alpini
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The long history of the old Della Gera Church, now known as the Cenotafio degli Alpini. The long history of the old Della Gera Church, now known as the Cenotafio degli Alpini. In 1605 there already existed a chapel called the Church of Gera, located near the old cemetery. The church, after being vandalized, was deconsecrated, restored and reconsecrated in 1610. Subsequently, it suffered acts of vandalism again, being deconsecrated again, restored and readapted for worship in 1732, maintaining the title of Chiesetta della Gera. The management of the church was entrusted to the villagers of the localities of Molino Castana, Poggio Castello, Alliata and some families from the Castello district, collaborators of the local parish priest...
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Church of Gabbione
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Gabbione is one of the most populated hamlets of Romagnese, in the center of the town there is the parish church dedicated to the Maternity of the Virgin Mary and to San Carlo.
A first oratory was built in 1841 at the behest of the inhabitants of Gabbione and the surrounding hamlets for having been preserved from cholera.
In 1955 the new parish of Santa Maria Assunta was built. Holy Mass on Sunday is still celebrated today.
The patronal feast is celebrated on August 15th.
Church of Casa Matti
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Of all the 40 hamlets of Romagnese, Casa Matti, which is located close to Monte Penice, is the one that has experienced the greatest tourist development. Here stands the church dedicated to Christ the Worker which was built in 1957 and is located close to the state road that goes down to Romagnese. Inside stands out a valuable wooden crucifix from Val Gardena created by the sculptor Mussner. The patronal feast is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, the Madonna dell'Aiuto, patron saint of the nineteenth-century oratory now in disuse since the new church was built. This temple was built in 1868 by vote of the inhabitants of the hamlet when cholera spread throughout the territory.
Oratory of Casa Picchi
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Although we do not know the exact date in which it was built, the existence of this oratory was recorded in the early 1600s, and religious functions were celebrated here until 1732. On the left of the oratory there is a stone altar which was built in 1680 by Alberto Rossi with the obligation to celebrate mass there every Wednesday. The ancient bell tower still exists next to the Oratory. While the Oratory has kept its original architectural line intact externally, the bell tower has undergone notable alterations to its Romanesque style in the upper part of the roof during the various repairs. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, the oratory of Casa Picchi is the point of reference for the religious function of Holy Thursday. On this occasion, a suggestive procession starts from the parish church of Romagnese and follows an anonymous hooded penitent carrying a wooden cross, winding up to the oratory itself. The patron saint is celebrated on 8 December.
Oratory of Villa Costa
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Dedicated to Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano, tradition has it that this little church was built at the time of the plague in Milan, between 1576 and 1584. Mass was celebrated here on January 20th, the day of Saint Sebastian. The small porch in front of the oratory with an undefined style, was added in more recent times. The oratory has three naves divided between them by round arches. It has a bell tower in line with the right side. The patron saint is celebrated on January 20th, San Sebastiano, and on February 5th, Sant'Agata.
Oratory of Totonenzo
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Dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. The little church stands in the open countryside between the hamlets of Casa Rocchi and Crotta. The time of construction is not known, but it is certainly considered very ancient, probably before the 11th century. It originally lacked the vault and the small portico in front, both built towards the end of the 19th century. It stands near a playground, surrounded by greenery, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Alta Val Tidone. Inside there is a wooden sculpture depicting the Madonna of Loreto with Child, with a black face and long loose hair, created between the 18th and 19th centuries. The patronal feast is celebrated on the first Sunday of September.
Oratory of Ossio
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It was likely built around 1760 at the behest of the inhabitants of Ossio, Bregni and Costaiola and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Graces. In 1869, a small portico was built in front of the church. The festivity of the Blessed Virgin of Caravaggio and the patron saint of dedicated to the Madonna della Neve are usually celebrated there. The building is located on the edge of the road that crosses the hamlet. It has a single rectangular nave, inside stands out a brass altar cross with a triangular base dating back to the 19th century. The patron saint is celebrated on the first Sunday of August.
Oratory of Villa Casa
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Along one of the two roads that lead from Romagnese to Grazzi and from here to the Alpine Garden of Pietra Corva, lies the hamlet of Villa Casa. Here stands the oratory which, just like that of Casa Villa, is dedicated to Our Lady of Caravaggio. Like other oratories present throughout the municipal territory, this one was also built by vote of the inhabitants following the cholera epidemic. It dates back to 1851 and in that year a bishop's decree established the celebration of mass on August 26th. Around 1882 the oratory was destroyed by a landslide and was rebuilt a few decades later, still today it presents itself in all its splendor. The patron saint is celebrated on August 15th.
Oratory of Casa Ariore
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Casa Ariore is situated immediately after Casa Picchi, along the municipal road that climbs up close to the slopes of Monte Calenzone. In the village stands the oratory dedicated to San Rocco which was built between 1855 and 1856 by vote of the inhabitants of the villages of Ariore, Ghiozzi and Villa in order to be preserved and freed, through the intercession of San Rocco, from the cholera which was raging in the nearby parishes. It has a single nave with an apse and on the left of the building stands the bell tower also made of exposed stone. About ten years later a small portico was built in front of the entrance and a bronze bell was raised on the bell tower. The patron saint is celebrated on August 16th.
Oratory of Casa Villa
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Casa Villa is located along the municipal road that goes from Casa Picchi to Zuccarello. In the center of the hamlet there is the oratory dedicated to Our Lady of Caravaggio. It was built in 1851 and rebuilt after 1882. The curiosity of this oratory is that of having the apse incorporated into another building. It has a facade characterized by a rectangular entrance and on the sides there are two small slit windows. Above the entrance there is a quatrefoil single-lancet window. The apse has a central niche and two smaller lateral niches. The oratory has a rectangular plan, with a single nave with a semicircular apse. From this location you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of Romagnese and the ridge of the Apennines.
Oratory of Zuccarello
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Zuccarello can be reached by following the municipal road that leads from Romagnese to Casa Picchi, Casa Ariore and Casa Villa.
The road then ends in this small hamlet located close to the slopes of Monte Calenzone and not far from the Rio Rivarolo waterfalls.
In Zuccarello there is one of the oldest oratories in Romagna: the one dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.
The works for the construction of this church were started in 1891 due to a vote made by Carlo Barberini of Casa Ariore and completed in 1935 by his son.
The Zuccarello festival is held on the third Sunday of September.
Oratory of Grazzi
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Leaving the historic center of Romagnese, along the Val Tidone state road 412, towards Zavattarello, taking the first crossroads on the right, you go up to the hamlets of Grazzi Inferiore and Grazzi Superiore. Here is the oratory dedicated to Mary Help of Christians which was built by the inhabitants of the two small hamlets in 1920. The oratory is modest in size but welcoming. It is located in the Grazzi Inferiore area and is located on a hill close to the road that crosses the hamlet. It has a rectangular plan with a single nave with a bell tower on the right side, made of exposed stone. The patronal feast is celebrated on May 24th.
Oratory of Casa Pilla
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Casa Pilla is a characteristic hamlet that stands on the hills on the right bank of the Tidone stream.
The oratory of Casa Pilla was built in 1919 thanks to the inhabitants of this small hamlet who supported the costs for the construction of the characteristic church. The oratory stands right in the heart of the hamlet and is dedicated to Christ the King. It has a rectangular plan with a single nave, the interior is decorated with a composite molding frame. The facade features painted plaster and corner pillars in squared stones. The patron saint is celebrated on the first Sunday after August 15th.
