San Rufillo Parish Church

Description: S. Rufillo was a villa in the Imola countryside and in the XIV and XV centuries was part of the parish of Montebattaglia and then of Casola Valsenio. The original church was not built where it stands today but about one km away in Bonzo and Chiesuola. It was already in existence in the XII century as a simple hermitage, it later became a rectory, recorded for the first time in 1328. It was definitely consecrated but we do not know in which year. The church measured 7 X 6 m and its ceiling was supported with beams with a façade facing west with the patron saint painted on it and a cross raised on it. In XVII century it had two altars, the largest painted with frescoes of holy images and above it an arch also painted with frescoes. The second altar was dedicated to S. Sebastian and had a crucifix above it, with images of the Madonna, of Mary Magdalene and the Saints SS. Giovanni and Sebastian. By 1697 two side altars had been added: one built in honour of Madonna of the Rosary, the other for S. Carlo Borromeo. There is a small bell tower above the church on the south side. This church and its priest’s house were destroyed on 24 March 1738 by a landslide.