Today, at the conclusion of the initiatives organized on the occasion of the bicentenary of the death of Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti, an exhibition focusing on the personal book collection of the Pope from Cesena will be inaugurated and a theatrical show by Roberto Mercadini will be staged which tells the story of Pius VI and Pius VII.
First appointment of the day – in the Malatestiana Library at 11am – the inauguration of The Pope’s books. Pius VII Chiaramonti in the mirror of his library; followed at 9pm, at the Alessandro Bonci theatre, by the theatrical appointment with ‘The Popes forgotten by God. History of Pius VI and Pius VII’. This is how Mercadini recounts his monologue, produced by Sillaba: “It is known to everyone that Cesena is the city of the 3 popes. Much less known who these popes were and what exactly they did. In the meantime, it should be clarified that, to tell the truth , there were actually two popes: Pius VI (Gian Angelo Braschi) and Pius VII (Barnaba Chiaramonti). very notable in itself. Not only that: they rose to the papal throne in the two most dramatic moments in the history of the Church, namely the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period (hence the irony of the title. They were both imprisoned and on the tomb of VI, as an insult, the revolutionaries had it written: ‘Citizen Giannangelo Braschi – aka Pope'” Tickets for the show are available on www.liveticket.it and, on the evening of the show, at the box office of the Bonci Theatre. Cost: €18 boxes and stalls – €15 gallery For info 370.3685093.
The fourth appointment with the Spring Sundays is also dedicated to Pius VII. Tomorrow visitors will be led to discover the “Papal Cesena”, in the footsteps of Barnaba Chiaramonti: the itinerary of the guided tour includes the exteriors of the birthplace of Pius VII and of the Cathedral, where the future pope was baptized, to then reach the Church of Santa Cristina, Valadier’s neoclassical jewel and ideal space for the exhibition The Pope’s Vestments. The last, fundamental, ideal stop will be a visit to the Pïana Library. Departure is scheduled for 10am from the tourist office in Piazza del Popolo. The requested contribution is 15 euros per person, including the visit to the Library. Info on 0547.356327.
