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Placard about Via Francigena historic pilgrim and trade route, at entry to San Quirico:
"Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries the Via Francigena profoundly influenced the history of the Tuscan territories giving shape and body to all the areas it came into contact with. Right from its origins this road, built by the Longobards for linking the Kingdom of Pavia with the dukedoms of Lucca and Benevento, wound its way through the valleys of central Tuscany, avoiding the territories controlled by the Byzantines, and bringing with it profound transformation in the territorial and road-network set up. During the era of Charles the Great it became the main transiting, economics and cultural connection between the peninsula and the area beyond the Alps, as well as the main axis of the Holy Roman Empire. From that time on it was transited not only by pilgrims heading for Rome, the then center of Christianity in Europe, but also by kings, princes and ecclesiastical dignatories who left invaluable testimonies of their journeys. The most renowned of these was Sigoric, the archbishop of Canterbury* who on his return journey from Rome between the years 990 and 994, documented in detail the halting places along the way. The Via Francigena brought about the expansion of ideas, innovations, cultural styles and artistic influences, which all took on specific local connotations as they came into contact with the conditions existing in the different areas traversed. Above all, in the religious buildings, structural and symbolic elements can be found which are typical of the pilgrimages, like the twin portals and the labyrinth, representing pathway to the heavens, as well as the features reminiscent of the Romanesque architecture from beyond the Alps, enhanced in form and style by local influence, like that of Pisa and Volterra. The history of the Via Francigena leads back to the Middle Ages in Tuscany, not only as a journey into the past, but also as an interpretive key via which we can learn about the territory, its organistation, its peculiarities and its identity. The role of the Via Francigena was that of exalting the local soecificities in a European picture. Some areas, especially those at the border, were characterised due to the long duration of feudalism, by the presence of numerous fortified structures, the remains of which provide valuable testimonies. Others became famous thanks to the growth of economic exchange, financial activities and handicrafts, playing an important high-profile role in the commercial trading between the Orient and the West,from Alexandria in Egypt to the fairs of Champagne. The birth of the Via Francigena gave new life and determinanted the flourishing of other settlements, like San Miniato, San Gimignano, Colle Val d'Elsa and Pescia, small urban realities which became leaders in the European economy of the Middle Ages."
Not my wording, but you will recognise importance to several of the places visited in this trip, others previously. *Even the Pilgrim's Way part-explored in Canterbury.
Via Francigena is the common name of the ancient road and pilgrim route running from France to Rome, though it is usually considered to have its starting point much farther away, in the English city of Canterbury. As such, it passes through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. The route was known in Italy as the "Via Francigena" ("the road that comes from France"). In mediaeval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route for those wishing to visit Rome.
wikimapia SanQuirico
Tags: Copyright photo peteshep PS FZ200 2014 Italy San Quirico Via Francigena Val d'Orcia
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Copyright photo PS
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Tags: Copyright photo peteshep PS FZ200 2014 Italy San Quirico well Val d'Orcia
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Copyright photo PS
Collegiata.
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Tags: Copyright photo peteshep PS FZ200 2014 Italy San Quirico Val d'Orcia walled town
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Tags: Copyright photo peteshep PS FZ200 2014 Italy San Quirico Val d'Orcia plan
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The Orti Leonini is a triangular plot of terraced gardens, laid out within the town walls -- formal, in the fashion of the times. Always enjoyed by citizens taking a passegiata promenade. Compartments are edged by clipped box hedge and ilex walks, in strict geometric layout.
These gardens were created around 1575 by Diomede Leoni (friend of Michelangelo) during the work to restore the village walls damaged in the war between Florence and Siena. The "Horti" are an unusual example of late Renaissance gardens totally independent from any house. A document from the times states they were created for travellers and especially the nobility.
Personally too formal; I prefer the superb Tuscan landscape of Val d'Elsa and Val d'Orcia.
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Tags: Copyright photo peteshep PS FZ200 2014 Italy San Quirico Leonini Gardens Val d'Orcia Horti Leonini Diomede Leoni around 1575 Late Renaissance
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