WERE ARE WEBrisighella,
An old village of medieval origin, the principle municipality of the Valle del Lamone, is situated on the foothill spurs of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Appennines, 11 km from Faenza on the panoramic Faenza-Florence road link.
The three chalk peaks that stand out from the surrounding green hillsides point the way to this beautiful country hamlet.
On the first hill is the 18th century “Monticino” sanctuary dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin.
On the second hill the visitor will spot the 14TH-16TH century castle, the ROCCA MANFREDIANA e VENEZIANA, now home to the “Museum of Agricultural History”.
The third hill is topped by the 19th century CLOCK TOWER, now the site of a the “Signora del Tempo” museum, dedicated to Time and the history of time.
The village centre is dominated by the centuries-old VIA DEGLI ASINI. This a peculiar raised roadway illuminated by archways of varying size, a structure found nowhere else in the world. For centuries it was used as a defensive balwark. In later times it became the waggoner's trading area, with the animals' stables located under the archways. Today, the Via degli Asini, together with the visit to the Tre Colli, forms a key part of an interesting historic stroll around Brisighella.
The PIEVE DEL THO' is situated 1.5 km from the village and is the oldest Pieve (Parish) in the Valle del Lamone. Its origins are somewhat remote, going back to Galla Placida, daughter of Theodosius who is said to have had it built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter. The exact period of construction is unknown but is estimated at being between the 8th and 10th centuries.
The people of the valley have always been devoted to agriculture and crafts. Vineyards and olive groves are the most common forms of cultivation while, on the valley floor, there is no shortage of fruit orchards either.
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