Rotonda della Madonna del Monte, Romanesque religious building in Bologna, Italy
Rotonda della Madonna del Monte is a Romanesque structure with a circular floor plan containing 19 interior niches positioned around its perimeter. The building sits integrated within the neoclassical Villa Aldini complex on the Osservanza hill in Bologna.
The structure began as part of a Benedictine monastery in 1116 and served Bologna's religious community for centuries. It underwent major restoration work in 1938 when the Municipality of Bologna acquired the Villa Aldini property.
The frescoes painted in the niches show apostles and a blessing Christ from the 15th century, reflecting how Bologna's religious communities expressed their faith through art. These medieval paintings remain visible to visitors and reveal the spiritual importance this place once held in the city's religious life.
The building sits on the Osservanza hill at Via dell'Osservanza 35/a and can be approached through the Villa Aldini grounds. Visiting early in the day helps you explore the location more comfortably without crowds.
A painting inside is attributed to Simone dei Crocifissi and received its name after the 1443 Battle of San Giorgio di Piano, showing how this site connected to major local events. This naming reveals how religious sites in Bologna remained intertwined with the city's political moments.
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