Pellegrinaggio, spazio e sacralità a Bobbio nell’altomedioevo (VII-prima metà IX secolo), tra fonti scritte e fonti archeologiche

Abstract The monastery of Bobbio is mentioned in early medieval written sources as the final destination of journeys of (mostly) clergymen and founders of other monasteries, who traveled there in order to learn the way of life of the Columbanian monks. Very early on the monastery, which is also Columbanus’ final resting place, became a privileged space. Besides the presence of the saint’s tomb, several factors contributed to Bobbio’s aura of sanctity, first and foremost the ability of the monastic community to construct an image of prestige; an image which Jonas’ hagiographic work undoubtedly helped to shape. Bobbio’s role as a pole of attraction – albeit of a select few, mostly individuals from the higher social echelons (a common feature of early medieval pilgrimage) – is also attested by material evidence. Apart from some wooden reliquaries, the well-known ampullae and other devotional or liturgical artifacts, this material evidence includes several small terracotta eulogiae, originating from Eastern Mediterranean sanctuaries where such objects were widespread. These bear witness to the role played by the monastery which was situated in a strategic position on the routes of long–distance pilgrimages.