barga - medieval hilltop town

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Untouched by mass tourism, Barga is a true gem and more than picturesque! It is the quintessential Tuscan hill town! Its ancient, unspoiled and prosperous air seems attract the discerning and the artist. Barga is known for its artistic richness, historic monuments, mild climate and genuine warmth of its residents. From atop the hill, which is dominated by the Duomo, a church whose origins predate the Middle Ages, visitors are awed by the views of the green valley of the Serchio river, the majestic Apuan Alps, renowned for their marble quarries, and the less rugged Appenines.

The Convent and church of San Francesco were built in the middle of the 15th century by the monk Blessed Michael of Barga. At the entrance of the convent is an enclosed cloister while the church features some splendid Robbian works such as a Nativity scene, the stigmata of San Francesco at Verna, stone simulacrums of St. Anthony the Abbott, St. Andrew and the Assumption.

this artwork has been visited even by the King and Queen of Sweden (1965). Near the church –arising from an ancient lazar house- is the hospital. Initiated by Doctor Pietro Talinucci and continued by the people of Barga, both locals and émigrés, it has become one of the most modern and well equipped hospitals in the Serchio Valley.

cloister

cloister

Le Stigmate di San Francesco alla Vernaattribuita a Girolamo della Robbia 1500-1515

Palla delle Stigmate di San Francesco alla Vernaattribuita a Girolamo della Robbia 1500-1515Details

Palla delle Stigmate di San Francesco alla Vernaattribuita a Girolamo della Robbia 1500-1515Details

Sant‘Andrea Apostolo (attribuito alla Bottega Della Robbia 1490-1495)

ASSUNZIONE attributed to Giovanni della Robbia (1490)

Sant‘Antonio Abate

(attribuito alla Bottega Della Robbia 1490-

1495)

PALA DELLA NATIVITA' (attribuita a Luca della Robbia detto il giovane- 1509)

Detail: PALA DELLA NATIVITA' (attribuita a Luca della Robbia detto il giovane- 1509)

Detail: PALA DELLA NATIVITA' (attribuita a Luca della Robbia detto il giovane- 1509)

Barga originated before the Middle Ages as a castle surrounded by walls and entered through one of three gates, two of which Porta Reale and Porta Macchiaia are still standing. During the 1300's Barga became the principal outpost of the Signoria di Firenze in the area.

Torre di Porta Mancianellaand Porta Mancianela

Santissima Annunziata Church

SS. Annunziata

The Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso is a 12th century structure that

was completely

remodeled in the 17th century.

The Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso is a 12th century structure that was completely remodeled in the 17th

century.

the convent known as the

Conservatorio di Santa Elisabetta

This convent was founded by Michele Turignoli of Barga in the 15th Century for young women who wished to enter the Third Order of St Francis (papal bull of Pope Callisto IV in 1456). In 1787, it was transformed into a school for young girls (conservatorio) by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo who ordered it to be amalgamated with the Dominican convent in Barga situated near the church of the Santissima Annunziata on the street now known as Via di Mezzo.

the convent known as the Conservatorio di Santa

Elisabetta

The school, which was run by nuns of the Order of St. Joseph, provided an education for girls from less fortunate families, who could study there right up to the level of a teaching certificate. Giovanni Pascoli defined the school as a: "...fucina di maestrine di montagna..." (a forge for hilltown teachers).

L'Assunzione (The Madonna of the Cintola). Glazed terracotta altar piece attributed to the workshop of Benedetto Buglioni, 1500 caBarga - Conservatorio di Santa Elisabetta

L'Assunzione (The Madonna of the Cintola). Glazed terracotta altar piece attributed to the workshop of Benedetto Buglioni, 1500 caBarga - Conservatorio di Santa Elisabetta

“Maestaine” are sacred images which can be found along pathways or on outdoor walls of houses, huts, barns which people used to pray to God or to the Madonna for an abundant harvest or for protection against hunger and  illnesses or from war.

Sound: Andrea Bocelli - E Sara' A Settembre

Text and pictures: Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu

www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda