SHARRYLAND
Modigliana, at the foot of the Romagna hills.
A hamlet, a castle butt, an ancient bridge, two museums, and a beautiful landscape
Where is
What is it and where is Modigliana
A hamlet with a butt of a castle, an ancient bridge, two museums, surrounded by a wonderful hillside landscape: this is Modigliana. The town is dominated by the Fortress of the Counts Guidi, known as the Roccaccia, now a sliver of a tower, from which there are spectacular views, but it was once an important castle where Frederick Barbarossa's court was often hosted. The historic center is accessed through the Tribuna, a semicircular tower overlooking the Tramazzo stream, once the main entrance to the castle. Flanked by two bell towers on one of which is a clock, the tower is crowned by a shrine containing a statue of the Madonna and Child.
The museums of Modigliana, between Silvestro Lega and Garibaldi
In the center is the Municipal Picture Gallery where many important paintings by Silvestro Lega, the Macchiaiolo who was born in Modigliana in 1826, are housed, in particular the portrait of Giuseppe Garibaldi, that of the dying Mazzini and that of Don Giovanni Verità, in whose house Giuseppe Garibaldi found refuge in 1849. That very house has become the town's other museum, the Museo civico risorgimentale, which houses many Garibaldi relics, such as Anita Garibaldi's shawl and the sword of Garibaldi's Captain Leggero.
Not to be missed: the humpback bridge.
On the outskirts of the town is its jewel, the Ponte della Signora, a beautiful humpback bridge, which stands out with its light-colored stone on the green creek bed; it consists of three arches with the central one very wide and high. It was built in 1640 on the ruins of the ancient Roman bridge that was destroyed by a flood. It was so named because it was renovated in the eighteenth century by the lady who ruled the Casalini family at that time, who owned a villa that was accessed from that very bridge.
Fun fact: the lady, the bridge and the ghost.
About the lady who had the bridge renovated, a legend has arisen. It is said that the lady crossed the bridge on horseback every night to check her lands; during one of these crossings she was thrown from her horse and fell into the river, since then her ghost, on full moon nights, appears on the highest point of the bridge and kills anyone who dares to cross it at that time. Braves, who want to ascertain the truth of the legend, must go to the river at 1 a.m. The important thing is that, as a precaution, they stop at the foot of the bridge, without crossing it.
One last piece of advice: the hills of Romagna
Before leaving Modigliana, you cannot miss a ride in the hills around the town; there is something for everyone, grassy lanes for walkers, paths for bikes, narrow lanes for cars. The landscape is wonderful: fruit trees, pastures, groves, and the famous sangiovese vineyards.
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