Medievalis - Anno Domini 1226

For four days in mid-August, the medieval city of Pontremoli comes alive with their age-old ways as the host of a Medieval festival.

 

Even though Pontremoli is located in Tuscany, it is one of the most important cities of the Lunigiana, an ancient region comprising eastern Liguria and north-western Tuscany. It’s castle, Castello di Piagnaro, is also one of the restored and tourable “Castles of the Lunigiana”.

This unassuming village has quite the historical past. Pontremoli has been around for thousands of years, but it’s heyday was during medieval times when it’s central location and abundant river put in the middle of everything. 

It was a top stop for pilgrims, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Emperor Frederick II. Even Pier delle Vigne, a character in Dante’s Inferno, passed through the streets of Pontremoli, albeit in chains. 

This festival fills the narrow cobblestone streets with vendors from all walks of life. From basic antique shops to specialty handmade goods. 

Several vendors offered unique, handmade jewelry. 

 

Hand woven wool hats and scarves, including the odd, pointed hats that were seen throughout town.

These were very interesting masks, made from formed leather. They varied from simple, butterfly shaped masks to ornately decorated and painted ghoulish masks. 

One of the highlights for me was “Lo Torneo de Bandiera” or the tournament of flags. A few of the local towns gave quite a show with their band and flags. But Pontremoli was by far the best group.

The pounding beat of the drums accompanied by flutes and a vibrant display of flags flying through the air was quite enjoyable. 

Making our way to the castle was a bit of a hike, but the little alleys led to stunning views. 

The castle was a bustle with activity. They had two areas with food, wine and local artisan beer, live music and an avian demonstration.
  

They had an impressive selection from eagles to falcons to several breeds of owl, including an endangered white owl (click on the photo below for a better view).

  

 

After exploring the castle a bit, we got some traditional focaccette and headed back down to town. Even into the night the festivities were going strong. 

On Sunday, the final evening they had a big show of all the costumed participants from knights to commoners at the castle and to finish the festival, fireworks over the town.

Don’t miss next years festival!

Mediovalis Medieval Event                                                    Mid-August
Castello del Piagnaro                                                              www.medievalis.org
Pontremoli (MS)

Castello di San Giorgio

Tonight I was invited to an art exhibit and saxophone quartet concert at the Castello di San Giorgio in La Spezia. This ancient castle is a lovely venue, perched atop a hill overlooking the entire city and bay of La Spezia.

Stasera sono stata invitata ad un concerto di sassofoni al Castello San Giorgio di La Spezia. Questo antico Castello é un posto bellissimo, situato sopra una collina, offre un meraviglioso panorama, esso consentendo di vedere tutta la città e la baia di La Spezia.

  

To get there can be quite a hike! From centro, or downtown La Spezia, there are a number of scalinate, or stairs that take you to the hills above. It is a beautiful way to get there, just make sure to have some walking shoes on when you go.

Per arrivare in cima alla collina si deve fare una bella camminata! Dal centro ci sono numerose scalinate che portano sui colli; si tratta di un percorso molto bello, ma consiglio alle ragazze di indossare delle scarpe base. 

But don't worry if you have any problems with stairs, they do have an elevator that takes you from the base of the hill to the top and runs all day, with the last ride at 8pm.

Non preoccupatevi se avete problemi nel fare le scale perchè, in alternativa, c’è anche un ascensore che dal centro porta in cima alla collina tutto il giorno fino alle 20.00.

  

The original structure was commissioned in 1262, but there is very little of that remaining thanks to various conquering and sacking through the ages. The side of the castle facing the sea was built in 1443, but they say that most of what we see today was finished in the early 1600’s.

La struttura originale fu costruita nel 1262, però di questa é rimasto ben poco a causa di varie conquiste e saccheggi che hanno interessato la storia di questo posto. Il muro che si affaccia sul mare è del 1443, mentre, la parte restante oggi visibile, si dice, sia del 1600. 

   

The views from the top are amazing and although anytime of day will provide fantastic panoramas, sunset is a magical time to visit.

La vista dall’alto è straordinaria e a qualsiasi ora si può ammirare panorama fantastico, in particolare al tramonto si può osservare qualcosa di magico. 

   

Castello di San Giorgio now houses the Ubaldo Formentini Museum of Civil Archaeology, a museum for Roman artifacts discovered locally and the prehistoric statues of the Lunigiana, an historical region of Italy known for its castles. For more info on the Lunigiana, click here.

All’ interno del castello si trova il Museo Archeologico Ubaldo Formentini che mostra gli artefatti Romani trovati in zona e le statue preistoriche della Lunigiana. Per più informazioni sulla Lunigiana, clicca qui.

   

These statues are from around the Iron Age and show the existence of an advanced, artistic people of this area. The half-moon shaped heads are characteristic of these statues, which are fairly unknown outside of Italy, but here they are quite famous.

Queste statue provengono dall’età ferro e dimostrano l’esistenza di un popolo avanzato e artistico. Le teste a mezzaluna carattezzano queste statue che ormai sono famose in tutta Italia. 

But what keeps bringing people back are the summer night shows. Throughout July and August they have concerts, films, poetry readings and art performances starting at 9:15 and lasting until around midnight.

Ma quello che fa ritornare la gente è il programma chesi svolge nelle notti d’estate. Nei mesi di luglio e agosto vengono fatti concerti, film, mostre di poesia e spettacoli che cominciano alle 21.15 e finiscono verso mezzanotte. 

   

   
The Saxophone quartet was fantastic, playing a wide mix of music from Bach to Gershwin to Spanish and French jazz.
    
Il quartetto di sassofoni era fantastico, offriva una vasta scelta di musica da Bach a Gershwin, oltre che jazz spagnolo e francese. 
   

    

Nothing is nicer on a hot summer evening than sitting atop this castle, with the cool sea breeze blowing, views of the tower lit against the sky and sounds of live music.

Non c’e niente di più bello in una calda notte d’estate che stare in un castello con il vento fresco proveniente dal mare, con una meravigliosa vista della torre illuminata e con il suono della musica al vivo. 

  

Make sure to check out Castello di San Giorgio when you are in La Spezia! It's not only great for seeing Roman Ruins, but it will give you the best views of the city. They now also rent it out for private events like weddings.

Il Castello di San Giorgio è da non perdere quando sei a La Spezia! Non è solo bello per quanto esposto all’interno del Museo, ma lo è anche perché si può ammirare la vista più bella della città. Adesso si può anche affittare il castello per eventi privati come i matrimoni. 

Castello di San Giorgio                              Istituzione per I Servizi Culturali
Via XXIV Marzo                                       www.laspeziacultura.it
La Spezia                                                www.turismocultura.spezianet.it

Tel. 0187.751142                             Wednesday-Monday 9:30-12:30, 5:00-8:00