Molezzano: San Bartolomeo Church and local highlights

Molezzano offers several specific themes to help you plan your trip: San Bartolomeo brings together architectural history, a large altarpiece and ceramic baptismal fonts, as well as an unusual origin story. There is also an equestrian center at a specific address and a connection to winemaking. For regional tour planning, you can also choose a route in Mugello with two loops and different destinations. If you are looking for hotels, this distinction may help: church art and architectural history are directly connected to San Bartolomeo; the route is a separate element of regional planning.

San Bartolomeo: architectural history and altarpiece

San Bartolomeo Church was built in 1568 to replace an earlier structure. That predecessor was damaged in 1536 and completely abandoned after a flood. The chronology is therefore clear: 1536 refers to the damage to the older building, while 1568 marks its replacement. The two dates refer to different stages, not to the construction of the same church.

The large altarpiece is considered the main attraction of the small church. It depicts the Immaculate Virgin Mary with Saints Bartholomew, Andrew and Francis, as well as a bishop who may be Bonaventure. The uncertainty concerns the identity of the bishop; the other figures mentioned are identified. Alongside its religious subject, the painting offers a specific art-historical detail to focus on.

Ceramic baptismal fonts and winemaking

Another art-historical thread is the dark-glazed ceramic baptismal fonts. They were made from one of the plant pots that Galileo Chini designed in the early 1920s for the Berzieri thermal baths in Salsomaggiore. The story of the fonts thus leads beyond the church to a design for a thermal bath. The change from plant pot to baptismal font connects two different functions and adds the object history of the early 20th century to the church’s architectural history.

Winemaking is also specifically connected to Molezzano: Az. agr. Il Rio processes and bottles its wines in a cellar located in one of the historic farmhouses of the Fattoria di Molezzano. Alongside church art, this is a distinct local theme, involving processing and bottling at this cellar location.

Equestrian activities and regional route planning

Centro Ippico La Commenda is located at Via Padule 107 in the hamlet of Il Colle Molezzano. If you are planning a visit, check before setting out whether the center is currently operating.

As a regional touring option, the route “Il Mugello che non si arrende” follows a double loop starting in Vicchio. One loop heads south to the historic Monte Giovi Park, while the other heads north to the Gothic Line. The direction determines the destination: the southern loop leads to Monte Giovi, the northern one to the Gothic Line. Check route conditions before planning a tour, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Santa Maria A Vezzano, Gattaia, Casole, Arliano, Caselle, Villore

Return to the main travel overview: Vicchio.