Casentino Valley - Art in the Casentino Valley
Casentino reached the height of its artistic and architectural splendour during the Middle Ages. Numerous
pievi (parish churches) were built during the 11th century, while
castles towered over the main historic roads of the valley. Sometimes erected on the remains of Etruscan and Roman temples or Paleochristian churches, they still maintain their sober elegance. Spread throughout the territory, these Romanesque
pievi (parish churches) represent the real jewels of this landscape.
The 13th-century Casentino, still offers to visitors precious
wooden sculptures and Giottesque
frescoes, works by Taddeo Gaddi, Bicci di Lorenzo, Cola da Camerino, Francesco Morandini, Jacopo Ligozzi and
Giorgio Vasari.
Vasari
In the peace and silence of its forests, we come across two of the major spiritual and religious centres world-wide: the
Hermitage of Camaldoli founded by St. Romuald in 1012 and
La Verna Sanctuary established by St. Francis. La Verna is also famous for its 15th-century Della Robbia terracottas and glazed terracotta altar-pieces which, together with other work scattered around various places in Casentino, give u an overview of the entire history of the Della Robbia workshop.
The greatest works of art of the Renaissance period in Casentino can be found in the Sanctuaries of
Santa Maria del Sasso in Bibbiena and
Santa Maria delle Grazie in Stia.
Baroque art is also noteworthy and it can be found ir the Churches of Camaldoli, of the Hermitage, of the Oratories of the Madonna del Morbo in Poppi and of St. Francis` Sacred Stigmata in Bibbiena.
Le Robbiane
With over fifty works of art, the
Della Robbia itinerary adds to the traditional tourist visit of the
pievi (parish churches) and castles and testifies the influence of the Florentine Renaissance style on this land.
La Verna
The Nativity, with its grace and tenderness, is the work through which Andrea was the first sculptor to assimilate the idea, with which painters had for a long time been familiar, of representing the Virgin Mary kneeling in front of the Infant Jesus.
The Annunciation, which is considered Andrea Della Robbia`s masterpiece on account of its beautiful forms and of its unequalled way of expressing sentiments, deserves an eternal mention within men`s imagination.
Bibbiena (Church of San Lorenzo)
It boasts two magnificent works in white and blue attributed to Andrea Delda Robbia: on the right
The Nativity and on the left
The Deposition from the Cross.
Church of Memmenano di Poppi
A large painting with curved frame in white and blue, the only one of this kind in this area, portrays
The Pentecost or the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.
Stia (Church of the Rector)
La Madonna Col Bambino (Madonna with Child), a white enamelled bas-relief: it is a rare, real art treasure of great value. It portrays a spotless, devoted figure, connected to the worship of the Virgin Mary.
... from
Casentino Sviluppo e Turismo
