Pilgrimage

Angela, Florence and I decided to take a pilgrimage of sorts to Citta di Castello, a town a bit north of Perugia. Margherita di Castello was a young woman who was born disabled, completely rejected by her parents, and then taken in by nuns -- who then later rejected her.  She somehow managed to lead a rather full life with her level of disability, and had her physical needs cared for by the Dominicans. As a result, she is the patron saint of the disabled, a potent saint for the prochoice, and interestingly a protectress against financial insecurity. Interestingly, it was on St. Anthony of Padua’s feast day -- another favorite of mine -- he has helped me find many a lost object in my time!

The town itself is lovely. In many ways, it is different from Todi. To begin with, it is much flatter -- and sadly doesn’t have the views that we enjoy here. On the other hand, it’s very, very well kept up. The buildings are freshly stuccoed and beautiful.

And (ulp), they have the world’s best gelato. My apologies to Pianegiani (a close second), but I have to confess. The pistachio was made with pure nuts (including chunks of pistachio butter that melted creamily in the mouth).

We visited St. Dominic’s Church, where Margherita’s mummy is enshrined, and visited the Duomo. The Duomo has a slightly funny episode in history -- it was heavily damaged in an earthquake in xxxx. A mere 13 years later, the town voted that it was important to restore the building. It took another 57 years to actually get started on the reconstruction project -- and I thought I procrastinate!

Love,

Alexandra

The main piazza

Savings Bank

Fun chair in a shop!

St. Dominic's

Side door of St. Dominic's

Fresco over side door, St. Dominic's

This is the round church tower

City Hall

Inside City Hall

Another fresco. Very unusual styling!

Side entrance of the Duomo

A palazzo, now a museum (?)

The fresco work on the stucco was amazing