Undiscovered Latium: Medieval Majesty with Humorous Quirks – July 17th, 2021
Let’s visit a trio of “off-the-beaten track” medieval showpieces in northern Latium, in Tuscia.
In splendid Romanesque churches, capitals might be topped with humorous anthropomorphic figures which delighted 13th-century pilgrims trekking the nearby pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena.
Some frescoes we’ll view inspired, others terrified and some even brought chuckles (and still do!).
In a small lakeside village, we’ll visit a venerated miraculous 15th-century Madonna image, the protagonist in one of central Italy’s most fascinating festivals.
This town has also always been famous for its eels which caused acute indigestion – and death – for a gluttonous 13th-century Pope. In another town, over-indulgence in tempting wine led to the demise of a traveling prelate.
The prelate’s tomb spreads out in one of Latium’s most splendid medieval churches, built on two levels where the sculpted columns bring a grin. The frescoes on the walls recounted stories for the pilgrims.
Let me share those stories with you. And much more.
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