It is a history in stages, that of the church of San Bartolomeo, at the top of the medieval village of Bagnaria. A very distant and important past that, since the year 1000, has seen the structure modified from century to century until it became what we can admire today. Today it is one of the main historical attractions of Bagnaria.
Between 1050 and 1100 the church was built in pure Romanesque style, with exposed sandstone walls. Four centuries later, the walls were frescoed and, in the 17th century, the single nave was extended to three aisles and the vaults were reconstructed. The belfry was built in 1880.
The earthquake of '45
On 29 June 1945, a violent earthquake hit the Oltrepò Pavese area. It also affects the church of San Bartolomeo, which has to undergo a general renovation by the Genio Civile. The ceiling, taking up the original, was rebuilt with trusses and the walls were decorated by two artists from Tortona: Domenico Fossati and Alessandro Silla. During the reconstruction work, ancient paintings were found on the columns, which unfortunately could not be recovered. Some ten years later, the façade was also restored.
The '45 earthquake hit the Staffora Valley and the province of Alessandria with several earthquakes. The first, felt in the territories of Bagnaria and Varzi, was recorded on 14 June and was a 4.9 grade, the second on 29 June and was a 5.3 grade, and the third on 15 December was a 4.7 grade.
The façade
The façade, simple but fascinating, is broken up by pilasters. In the centre is the entrance door and a triple lancet window, while the two sides are characterised by single lancet windows.
The interior
The interior has three naves, with a pre-conciliar altar with wooden choir at the back and a post-conciliar altar at the front. At the end of the right nave there is a niche containing the statue of Saint Bartholomew. In the central bay there are two chapels with altars: the one on the left is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the one on the right to Our Lady of the Rosary. The walls are entirely frescoed, with rich decoration from the twentieth century, mainly with geometric motifs and roundels with figures of saints. The presbytery is covered by a barrel vault decorated with the Holy Trinity. The space is dominated by the presbytery with a rich marble balustrade and altars. The red and black marble balustrade and the pre-conciliar high altar with the tabernacle surmounted by a small temple in the centre are very beautiful and rich.
The bell tower
To the left of the façade is the square belfry, which houses the clock, which curiously faces the church and not the square. It stands parallel to the old castle tower, which has unfortunately collapsed.
Saint Bartholomew and his martyrdom
Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint of Bagnariaand is celebrated every year on the last Sunday in August. According to Christian tradition, the saint preached the Gospel in various regions, going as far as India, and suffered martyrdom. It is said that he was skinned alive and then crucified or beheaded for his faith. His figure is venerated as an intercessor, a model of courageous faith and devotion to Christ.
Bartholomew's martyrdom was echoed in numerous representations throughout the world, one of the most famous of which is Michelangelo Buonarroti's painting of the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, in which the artist himself is said to have painted a self-portrait, becoming a symbol that characterises the saint.
