Lay Confraternities and Civic Religion in Renaissance Bologna

Discover the rich tapestry of Renaissance Italy with Lay Confraternities and Civic Religion in Renaissance Bologna by Nicholas Terpstra, published by Cambridge University Press in 2002. This insightful book delves into the world of confraternities—lay groups that allowed Italians to express their individual and collective religious beliefs during a transformative period in history.

Spanning 272 pages, Terpstra's work highlights the intensely local and predominantly artisanal nature of these confraternities, showcasing how they played a pivotal role in shaping civic religious culture through charitable activities, public shrines, and vibrant processions. This book is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of religion and community life in 16th-century Bologna, offering a fascinating exploration of how these groups influenced both spiritual and civic identity in Renaissance Italy.