Italy—Emilia Romagna and Tuscany—9

 

Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, Montecatini Terme, Tuscany

Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

The basilica was built in the 1950s to replace an earlier church.

From Trip Advisor

Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of the Castle, Fiorano Modenese Emilia Romagna

Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1989.

 

The basilica is built on a hill over the ruins of a castle.  The castle was built in the 10^th Century to protect the local people from invaders.  A 15^th Century painting of the Virgin Mary was considered miraculous after it survived two invasions.  The castle was destroyed in the 16th Century and the church was built in the 17^th Century.

Top picture is from a local source and the other two are from TripAdvisor.

 

Basilica of St. Agatha, Asciano, Tuscany

Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1991.

The Romanesque and Gothic church was built between the 11^th and 13^th Centuries.

From a local source and TripAdvisor

Cathedral Basilica of St. Stephen, Prato, Tuscany

Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1996.

The basilica is the cathedral for the Diocese of Prato.  The Gothic Romanesque church was built between about 1100 and 1500.  A pulpit is partially attributed to Donatello.

All are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Rufillo, Forlimpopoli, Emilia Romagna

Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1999.

The basilica was originally built in the 6^th and 7^th Centuries but has been enlarged since then.

From TripAdvisor and Wikipedia

Cathedral Basilica of St. Colomba, Rimini, Emilia Romagna

Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

The basilica is the cathedral for the Diocese of Rimini.  Construction began on the Romanesque church in 800 but was discontinued in 1468.  Some of the artwork, including a crucifix were done by Giotto.  The church was heavily damaged during the Second World War but was restored.

From Wikipedia.

Basilica of Our Lady of Our Lady of Grace, Cortemaggiore, Emilia Romagna

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. 

The Gothic church was built in 1480.

From Wikipedia.

Sanctuary Basilica of St. Mary of Steccata, Parma, Emilia Romagna

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.

The Knights of Malta built a church here in 1492 to house an image of St. John the Baptist thought to be miraculous.  The current Renaissance church was built in the early 16^th Century to house an icon of a nursing Madonna.  Pilgrims came requiring a fence (steccata) to be built around the image.  Several dukes of Parma are buried in the church.

From Wikipedia.

Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, La Verna, Tuscany

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 1921.

I missed this one.

St. Francis of Assisi received the Stigmata at this site in 1224.  The Renaissance and Baroque church was built starting in 1260 but continued until the 18^th Century.

From local sources and Wikipedia.