Nonantola

Nonantola is an Italian town in the province of Modena ( Emilia- Romagna) with 15,558 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012).

History

The city's history is closely linked with the Abbey Nonantola, a company founded by St. Anselm 752 Benedictine monastery. Anselm is revered as the patron saint of the city. After the decline of the abbey in the 13th century it was awarded in 1419 to a benefice. At the same time, the dispute between Modena and Bologna began at the place itself, which was decided in 1412 in favor of the Este family. 1419 a municipal constitution was adopted. During the German occupation in the Second World War, the citizens of the city housed 73 Jewish children from Germany and Croatia and allowed them to escape to Switzerland. The city was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour for this behavior and its contribution to the Italian resistance movement.

Attractions

Among the buildings that have survived from the Middle Ages, two towers, dei dei Bolognesi Modenesi and are called as well as the Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo in the 9th century. However, the main interest is the Holy Year dedicated to Romanesque abbey Nonantola.