Church of San Giacomo and Cristoforo di Bargi

The church of Bargi, located in the municipality of Camugnano and dedicated to Saints James and Christopher, has been documented since 1177 and is one of the most important religious buildings in the area in terms of furniture and painting wealth, all dating between the 17th and 18th centuries, and partly preserved by the Bologna Fine Arts Superintendency.

The church stands on the top of a hill overlooking the valley and the small village of Bargi on its slopes. The square opposite the church offers a magnificent view of Lake Suviana, within easy reach via a small, steep road with successive hairpin bends that ends in front of the church itself.

The imposing building stands isolated and surrounded by a large grassy area. The façade is made of exposed stone with the main entrance located at the top of a short flight of steps. The interior is marked by Doric pilasters set on a high plinth and round arches enclosing three chapels on each side. The entire church is finely painted with floral and decorative elements. Copies of important paintings decorate the interior, including: the main altarpiece attributed to Balzani and dated 1701 and the altarpiece by Tiarini depicting the Madonna of the Rosary, surrounded by fifteen mysteries, with the Child holding a rose, dating back to 1630; this altarpiece still bears the signs of theft and dismemberment that occurred in 1968. The church also houses an important, recently-restored 18th-century organ in working order, with concerts organised every summer.

The church can be reached from the A1 motorway, exit Badia, continuing to Castiglione dei Pepoli, Camugnano, Lake Suviana, Bargi. Alternatively, it may be eached from the SS 61 "Porrettana" highway, continuing to Camugnano, Lake Suviana, Bargi.