Brisighella

A medieval village in the foothills of Faenza

The charm of the medieval village, with its narrow streets, the charming Via degli Asini, the ancient Pieve del Thò and, crowning the small town, the Clock Tower, the Fortress and the Sanctuary of Monticino, austere guardians of the three peaks of shiny selenite rock on which they rise and....all around, rolling hills sprinkled with olive trees and fascinating blue clay gullies. The quality of an unspoiled natural environment, the excellence of accommodations and local products. A Slow city to savor the pleasure of life.

Brisighella is a medieval village located in the heart of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, set in
the Vena del Gesso Regional Park
. The village is characterized by three rocky pinnacles, on which stand the Rocca, the Clock Tower and the Sanctuary of Monticino, which have become a symbol of Brisighella and are visited by tourists from all over the world.

Brisighella’s origins date back to the 12th century, when the leader Maghinardo Pagani had a fortified tower built on one of three hills. Later, the village developed at the foot of the tower, becoming an important commercial and religious center. Brisighella is a true open-air museum, rich in art and architecture. The hamlet consists of a maze of narrow streets, sections of city walls and stairs carved in plaster. In the historic center is the Old Village Street, a 12th-century covered street, elevated and lit by half-arches of different widths. The street is also known as ” Via degli Asini” for the shelter that offered to the animals of the birocciai who lived there. Do not miss the Pieve di San Giovanni in Ottavo (called Pieve del Tho) is just over a kilometer from Brisighella. It is the oldest parish church built in the Lamone Valley. Its origins are very remote and date it back to Galla Placidia, daughter of Theodosius, who would have had it built with the remains of a temple dedicated to Jupiter Ammon.

An itinerary suggestion for the visit to Brisighella:

Start your visit from the Fortress, which offers a panoramic view of the village and the valley.
Walk along the Antica Via del Borgo, a 12th-century covered road.
Visit the Pieve di San Giovanni in Ottavo, an important religious building dating back to the 5th century.
Take a walk on the three hills to admire the scenery.