Piazza del Baraccano-Ingl.

PIAZZA DEL BARACCANO In the heart of the Santo Stefano district, just beyond the live arteries of Bologna’s historic center, lies a discreet yet evocative square: Piazza del Baraccano, a collection of historic, civil and religious buildings located near the Margherita Gardens. It includes the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Baraccano and several structures along Via Santo Stefano and facing the square. The name “Baraccano” is a distortion of the medieval word barbacane, a fortification or watchtower. Fittingly, the site stands at a segment of Bologna’s ancient city walls. At the heart of the square’s identity is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Baraccano, also known as the “Madonna of Peace.” Its origins date back to 1403, when a fresco of the Madonna and Child by Lippo di Dalmasio, painted on the city walls, became the focus of widespread popular devotion. A chapel was erected by Giovanni I Bentivoglio, then ruler of Bologna. A plaque recounts a legend: on February 1, 1512, during a papal siege, engineers of Pope Julius II blew up a section of the city wall near the Baraccano. Miraculously, the stones were said to have fallen back into place—an event interpreted as a sign of divine protection.As the image’s miraculous fame grew, the chapel was expanded and eventually transformed into a full-fledged sanctuary. Its architectural evolution reflects shifting tastes and community needs: a portico was added in 1524, and the dome in 1682. Inside, visitors can admire frescoes by Francesco del Cossa (famed for the Griffoni Polyptych) and paintings by Prospero and Lavinia Fontana. The façade features statues of Bologna’s four patron saints: Saint Petronius, Saint Dominic, Saint Proculus, and Saint Francis. Locals affectionately call it the “Church of Peace”—newlyweds traditionally visit it on their wedding day to pray for a peaceful marriage. Expectant mothers also came here to seek protection during their pregnancy and childbirth, offering small tokens such as ribbons or blessed cloths. As early as 1438, in the square in front of the church, an oratory and lodgings were built to host poor pilgrims on their way to Rome or Jerusalem: the Pilgrims’ Hospital, the earliest nucleus of what would become the Conservatorio of the Baraccano. The structure was expanded over time with the addition of a portico on Via Santo Stefano in 1491, and the grand Voltone (archway) between 1497 and 1524. It was in 1528 that, as pilgrimages declined due to ongoing wars and the number of people in need increased, the local Confraternity decided to transform the entire complex into the “Conservatorio delle Putte del Baraccano”, a welfare and charitable institution dedicated to young orphaned girls. These girls were required to be in good health, come from socially respectable but economically stable families, and possess physical beauty, believed to make them more vulnerable to losing their purity. The girls of the Baraccano were highly sought after: they were beautiful, healthy, well-educated, obedient, and especially skilled in the arts of embroidery and weaving, particularly silk—an industry that underpinned much of Bologna’s economy throughout the sixteenth century and beyond. The Baraccano Institution continued its activities even after the arrival of the French in Bologna, a period during which many monasteries and religious institutions were closed. Precisely because of its continued operation, it became necessary to expand the complex in 1812 which gave the current configuration of both the church and the conservatory. The Baraccano Conservatory ultimately ceased to function as a welfare institution in 1969, losing its original purpose by the end of the 1960s. In 1972, the complex became the property of the Municipality of Bologna, and following restoration works, it was converted into a site for municipal offices. In its Renaissance portico, the Voltone del Baraccano, cultural events, exhibitions, concerts, and community gatherings are now regularly held. This space has been incorporated into Bologna’s UNESCO Porticoes system, recognized as a World Heritage Site not only for its architectural significance but also for its social value. Near the church are the Gardens of Santa Teresa Verzeri, a small green space enlivened during the summer season by performances and musical festivals, making Piazza del Baraccano a vibrant and dynamic place within the urban fabric of the city.