The Cemetery of the Observance (italian "Cimitero dell'Osservanza") has the most significant collection of sculptures and applied arts in the city of Faenza.
About the cemetery
The Cemetery of the Observance was established in 1816 near the original 15th century Franciscan monastery of the Observance which already had two cloisters. The complex was later expanded several times:
- in 1828 - the rebuilding of the church by the architect Pietro Tomba, who designed it in Neoclassical style
- between 1858 and 1860 - the construction of the mighty hemicycle of red brick columns which is still the main entrance to the cemetery. It was designed by Costantino Galli, an architect from the Ticino area.
The cemetery contains a lot of monumental tombs - two highly refined ones in the Liberty style, dating back to the early 20th century and a number of tombs of a later period. Among the latter, one in particular stand s out. The tomb of Melandri (1958) is covered in stoneware and was realised by Lucio Fontana, an internationally renowned artist. An other tomb which deserves special attention is that of Bishop Pasi (1530), Pietro Barilotto’s absolute masterpiece, realized in Istria stone with terracotta inserts, probably by Alfonso Lombardi. Recently the monument has successfully been restored together with the whole chapel where it is housed.
The cemetery is a collection of works of art realized in different materials (ceramics, bronze, stone) by some of the most prominent artists of the 20th century, such as Rambelli, Melandri, Nonni, Gatti, Drei, Biancini, Matteucci.
Contacts
Municipality of FaenzaPiazza del Popolo, 31
48018 Faenza Italy
Tel: +39 0546/691428
Tel/Fax: +39 0546/691283
Email: pierluigi.fallacara@comune.faenza.ra.it
Website: Municipality of Faenza
Office hours
Monday to Saturday from 8.30 to 12.30.Monday and Thursday afternoon from 15.00 to 17.00.
Other information
Tourist infowww.comune.faenza.ra.it
Guided tour
www.prolocofaenza.it
Transport
Airport Marconi – Bologna (50 km from Faenza)www.bologna-airport.it
Airport Ridolfi - Forlì (15 km from Faenza)
www.forliairport.com
Train
www.trenitalia.it
Highway A14 - exit "Faenza"
www.autostrade.it
Bus
www.mete.ra.it