Monteriggioni is a small hilltop fortified village which has its walls still entirely intact. There can only be about 20 or 30 families that live here if that. I would say the place survives on tourism alone. It was strategically important in the wars between Sienna and Florence in the 14th century. An important medieval festival is healed in the town each summer, and photos of people in period costume abound in postcards and DVDs.
I was great meeting the parish priest Don Doriano and seeing obvious delight he took in receiving pilgrims. There is a Via Francigena display in the pilgrim centre and lots of info in the town. He told us there was a small apartment next to the pilgrim accommodation if we wanted to come back and host pilgrims here for a couple of weeks sometime. We are tempted....
No comments:
Post a Comment