The municipal cemetery of Bastia Umbra, like others, was built following the Napoleonic edict that established that burials should take place outside built-up areas and at a suitable distance from them.
The cemetery, built in 1862 (as recalled by the inscription inside the church of San Paolo delle Abbadesse), is surrounded by a high wall and covered by a portico, built according to the design of the architect Federico Picconi from Bastia, where the confraternities and various families built their tombs and funerary monuments, some of these designed by the Assisian architect Alfonso Brizi (1835 – 1920).
The monumental layout of the cemetery and the decorative apparatus of the individual funerary chapels represent an interesting cross-section of the architecture and art produced from the second half of the 19th to the third quarter of the 20th century. . The artists, most of whom came from the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia, were inspired by the artistic movements of the time: from Verism to Neo-Gothicism, but especially Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Eclecticism and Rationalism.
The main sculptors and painters present with their works include: Romano Mignini (Perugia 1856 – 1918), Benvenuto Crispoldi (Spello, 1886 – 1923), Aroldo Bellini (Perugia, 1902 – Rome, 1984) and others. They were commissioned mainly by the bourgeoisie and the new industrial class, which was rapidly rising in the Umbrian economic and social scene in the second half of the 19th century.
FUNERARY CHAPELS AND ARTISTIC EVIDENCE
Petrini family .
Outside, under the portico:
– Sculpture group with Giuseppe Petrini and Sefora Petrini Vitalucci(early 20th century), marble, by Romano Mignini.
Angelini family .
On the facade, above the entrance, in the lunette:
Wall painting with Lamentation over the dead Jesus Christ (1923), tempera, by Benvenuto Crispoldi
inside:
on the side walls, Wall painting showing Angelswith instruments of the Passion (1923), tempera, by Benvenuto Crispoldi.
on the ceiling, mural painting with theAngelini family coat of arms (1923), tempera, by Benvenuto Crispoldi
– on the floor, paving with the Angelini family coat of arms, allegories and pharmaceutical symbols (1920), majolica, from the Deruta workshop.
Giontella Family .
Outside, on either side of the entrance door:
Statues of Cesare and Leonella Giontella (mid-20th century), marble, by Aroldo Bellini
inside, on the dome:
Mosaic decoration with Madonna in glory between two angels (mid-20th century), mosaic made of glass paste, semi-precious stones and gold leaf, by Roman craftsmen
Alessandro Petrini Family .
outside:
Dome with cross, inspired by the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, with metal foil covering (third quarter of the 20th century), by Umbrian craftsmen
Camillo Petrini Family .
inside:
Jesus Christ crucified (17th century?), polychrome painted wood, Umbrian craftsmanship
Relief withSt. Camillus andstories from the life of Jesus Christ(1965), bronze, Umbrian craftsmanship
Pascuccifamily..
on the facade:
– Lunette with Peacocks drinking at a fountain and Inscription with decorative motifs(first half of the 20th century), majolica, from the Deruta workshop.
Oculus with Monogram of Jesus Christ with A and Omega(first half of the 20th century), majolica, Deruta workshop.
Family Angeli Bambini .
On the facade, above the entrance, in the lunette:
– Relief with Jesus Christ in pity between two angels and decorative vegetal motif(third quarter of the 20th century) travertine, Umbrian style
Antonio Franchi Family .
on the facade:
Lunette withMonogram of Jesus Christ with Alpha and Omega and Geometric decorative motif(third quarter 20th century), travertine, Umbrian workshop.
