Monumento a San Bonaventura

A bronze statue of Saint Bonaventure stands in Piazza Sant'Agostino in Bagnoregio. Cast by Roman sculptor Cesare Aureli, the work rises two and a half metres on a granite pedestal and presents three episodes from the saint's life.

Why it matters

Bagnoregio was the birthplace of Giovanni di Fidanza, the Franciscan theologian Bonaventure, who became a cardinal and Doctor of the Church. The monument is a civic tribute to the town's most celebrated historical figure. Aureli also created religious statuary for St Peter's and a monument to Thomas Aquinas for the Vatican Library.

What to notice

The official town account describes three scenes: Francis healing a sick child and foreseeing his buona ventura, or good fortune; Thomas Aquinas asking Bonaventure where he found his wisdom; and the cardinal pleading for the union of the Greek and Latin churches at the Council of Lyon. The bronze is 2.50 metres high and weighs ten quintals.

Context and history

The statue arrived in Bagnoregio on 26 June 1896 and was first displayed in the church of Santissima Annunziata before being placed in the centre of the piazza. Bonaventure died at Lyon on 15 July 1274; he was canonized in 1482.