Established 1342
The Belltower of Fiagnano
Seven centuries of stone, bronze, and resonance — standing sentinel over the old town since the age of chivalry.
Explore Its Story Plan a VisitEstablished 1342
Seven centuries of stone, bronze, and resonance — standing sentinel over the old town since the age of chivalry.
Explore Its Story Plan a VisitRaised on the limestone ridge overlooking the River Aldric, the tower was commissioned by Bishop Edmund in 1342 to mark both the hour and the faith of the growing town below. Its original six bells were cast in a single furnace over eleven days.
Through two centuries of war, a great fire in 1587, and the quiet decades that followed, the tower endured. The present structure retains its medieval base while the upper gallery and spire reflect a careful 1720 restoration by the mason guild of Aldric.
Today the belltower is open to visitors year-round, offering panoramic views across four counties and the chance to hear the restored bells ring at their traditional hours.
Step into the timber-framed belfry and watch the six bronze bells — the largest weighing 2.4 tonnes — swing on their original oak yokes.
Climb the narrow, candle-lit spiral staircase carved from local gritstone. At every turn, narrow windows frame the changing landscape below.
From the 72-metre summit, take in a 360° panorama: the river valley, the old town's slate roofs, and on clear days, the distant hills of the North Range.
Pope Honorius II, whose birth name was Lamberto Scannabecchi, was born around 1060 in Fiagnano, near Imola, Italy. He became pope in 1124 and served until his death in 1130.
One of his major accomplishments was his role in negotiating the Concordat of Worms (1122), which helped settle the long-running conflict between the papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor over the appointment of bishops. He also supported new religious communities, including the Premonstratensians, and approved the Knights Templar.
A popular legend associated with Honorius II says that, during his youth, as he was with his father helping him make bread the bells of all the nearby churches started ringing to signal the death of the current pope. Curious, the young Lamberto asked his father why and upon hearing the reply that the pope had died he excitedly proclaimed that he too would be pope one day.
His father amused by this grabbed the dead and charred stick he was using to turn the bread inside the oven and said Lamberto would become pope once that wizened stick sprouted flowers.
He stuck it into the muddy ground and countless white blossoms immediately appeared from the charred stick. The event was taken as a sign of his future greatness and holiness.
Honorius II died in Rome in 1130 and was buried in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
A curated selection of the tower, its bells, and the surrounding landscape through the seasons.
Interactive map
(embed your map provider here)
Whether you're planning a group visit, enquiring about the bell-ringing experience, or simply have a question — we'd love to hear from you.
Thank you for reaching out. We'll get back to you within two working days.
