The flames and the brentatori: life in the medieval Bologna
五月 01 2023
CURIOSITIES 
Medieval architecture
In the Middle Ages, Bologna, like many other cities, was built almost entirely of wood. From dwellings to the iconic porticoes, wood was the most widely used material in construction due to its easy availability and great versatility.
However, the extensive use of wood also entailed several problems. Firstly, the combustibility of the material made medieval cities extremely vulnerable to fire. A single fire could completely destroy entire city districts, compromising the safety of the inhabitants and causing severe economic losses, a constant of life in medieval Bologna.However, the extensive use of wood also entailed several problems. Firstly, the combustibility of the material made medieval cities extremely vulnerable to fire. A single fire could completely destroy entire city districts, compromising the safety of the inhabitants and causing severe economic losses, a constant of life in medieval Bologna. Wooden buildings and the use of embers and open flames for any daily activity, from heating to cooking, were a lethal combination. Among the most destructive was the fire of 1141, which devoured a large part of the urban centre.
The Brentatori
To deal with this threat, the Vigiles already existed in Roman times. This order had been established by Emperor Augustus in 6 A.D. with the aim of keeping fires under control. Armed with siphones, a kind of hydrants with leather pipes, the Vigiles managed to extinguish the flames before they spread. In the Middle Ages, their role was played by the brentatori in the city of Bologna: the term 'brentatori' derives from 'brenta', wooden slatted containers of good capacity carried on their backs, which they used to transport wine from the countryside to the city. The importance of their role in fighting fires in the Middle Ages in Bologna was crucial; they represented a real emergency response team that was responsible for putting out the flames and trying to limit the damage caused by fires. The brentatori were selected from among the most skilled and strongest citizens because they had to face a physically demanding job. Wearing a special belt to hold this wooden brent with a capacity of 70 litres of water, they would travel as quickly as possible to the site of the fire. Despite the difficulties and risks to which they were subjected, the brentatori carried out their task with great commitment and dedication. The speed with which they were able to reach fire sites and their teamwork made it possible to stem the spread of flames in many cases and save many buildings and lives. Despite the evolution of
fire-fighting techniques over the centuries, their role in the history of Bologna remains an example of courage and spirit of sacrifice. Thanks to the work of the brentatori and other professionals involved in preventing and fighting fires, many medieval towns managed to protect their wooden buildings and minimise the damage caused by fires.
The guild of brentatori
The guild of brentatori in Bologna is well documented. It was in fact informally formed in 1250 and was officially recognised in 1407, with statutes being obtained in 1410. The corporations of arts and crafts, or guilds, or simply arts, were associations formed from the 12th century onwards in many European cities, in order to regulate and protect the activities of members of the same professional category.
As already mentioned, this particular guild had the task of providing a public service in the event of fires, as set out in the reconfirmed statute that required the brentatori to rush in alarmed by the ringing of the bell of the Asinelli tower to bring water to the places affected by fire. The company was active from the first half of the 13th century until the end of the 19th century.
In 1614, the statutes of the brentatori were reformed to better define the activities and limits of the guild in order to avoid abuse and fraud. During the second half of the 18th century, the company chose Alberto di Villa d'Ogna, a layman who had become blessed in 1748 and had practised the trade of brentatore as a young man, as its patron.
Hotel dei Commercianti as first headquarters
In 2015, the Municipality of Bologna placed a commemorative plaque right outside our Boutique Hotel in the centre of Bologna.
Within walking distance of the hotel or by using the buses of Bologna
, you will be able to see with your own eyes the well-known Torre degli Asinelli, the point from which the signal for fires used to start. This tower is named after the Asinelli family, who had it built as a symbol of their power and prestige. Originally used as a defence tower, it had a function of sighting and control of the surrounding area, such as that of fires. Today the tower is open to the public and it is possible to climb to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
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In the Middle Ages, Bologna, like many other cities, was built almost entirely of wood. From dwellings to the iconic porticoes, wood was the most widely used material in construction due to its easy availability and great versatility.
However, the extensive use of wood also entailed several problems. Firstly, the combustibility of the material made medieval cities extremely vulnerable to fire. A single fire could completely destroy entire city districts, compromising the safety of the inhabitants and causing severe economic losses, a constant of life in medieval Bologna.However, the extensive use of wood also entailed several problems. Firstly, the combustibility of the material made medieval cities extremely vulnerable to fire. A single fire could completely destroy entire city districts, compromising the safety of the inhabitants and causing severe economic losses, a constant of life in medieval Bologna. Wooden buildings and the use of embers and open flames for any daily activity, from heating to cooking, were a lethal combination. Among the most destructive was the fire of 1141, which devoured a large part of the urban centre.
The Brentatori
To deal with this threat, the Vigiles already existed in Roman times. This order had been established by Emperor Augustus in 6 A.D. with the aim of keeping fires under control. Armed with siphones, a kind of hydrants with leather pipes, the Vigiles managed to extinguish the flames before they spread. In the Middle Ages, their role was played by the brentatori in the city of Bologna: the term 'brentatori' derives from 'brenta', wooden slatted containers of good capacity carried on their backs, which they used to transport wine from the countryside to the city. The importance of their role in fighting fires in the Middle Ages in Bologna was crucial; they represented a real emergency response team that was responsible for putting out the flames and trying to limit the damage caused by fires. The brentatori were selected from among the most skilled and strongest citizens because they had to face a physically demanding job. Wearing a special belt to hold this wooden brent with a capacity of 70 litres of water, they would travel as quickly as possible to the site of the fire. Despite the difficulties and risks to which they were subjected, the brentatori carried out their task with great commitment and dedication. The speed with which they were able to reach fire sites and their teamwork made it possible to stem the spread of flames in many cases and save many buildings and lives. Despite the evolution of
fire-fighting techniques over the centuries, their role in the history of Bologna remains an example of courage and spirit of sacrifice. Thanks to the work of the brentatori and other professionals involved in preventing and fighting fires, many medieval towns managed to protect their wooden buildings and minimise the damage caused by fires.
The guild of brentatori
The guild of brentatori in Bologna is well documented. It was in fact informally formed in 1250 and was officially recognised in 1407, with statutes being obtained in 1410. The corporations of arts and crafts, or guilds, or simply arts, were associations formed from the 12th century onwards in many European cities, in order to regulate and protect the activities of members of the same professional category.
As already mentioned, this particular guild had the task of providing a public service in the event of fires, as set out in the reconfirmed statute that required the brentatori to rush in alarmed by the ringing of the bell of the Asinelli tower to bring water to the places affected by fire. The company was active from the first half of the 13th century until the end of the 19th century.
In 1614, the statutes of the brentatori were reformed to better define the activities and limits of the guild in order to avoid abuse and fraud. During the second half of the 18th century, the company chose Alberto di Villa d'Ogna, a layman who had become blessed in 1748 and had practised the trade of brentatore as a young man, as its patron.
Hotel dei Commercianti as first headquarters
In 2015, the Municipality of Bologna placed a commemorative plaque right outside our Boutique Hotel in the centre of Bologna.
Within walking distance of the hotel or by using the buses of Bologna
, you will be able to see with your own eyes the well-known Torre degli Asinelli, the point from which the signal for fires used to start. This tower is named after the Asinelli family, who had it built as a symbol of their power and prestige. Originally used as a defence tower, it had a function of sighting and control of the surrounding area, such as that of fires. Today the tower is open to the public and it is possible to climb to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.