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| Spedaletto's main gate |
Back in the 11th century, if you wanted to go on a vacation, you would likely opt for a religious pilgrimage. The most popular pilgrimage destination (as it is today with visitors to Italy) was Rome.
Traveling to Rome back then was a bit more harrowing than it is today. You travelled by foot, or---if you opted for the luxury tour---by donkey. The roads were practically non-existent. They were fraught with danger...everything from robbers to carnivorous wild animals. There were no Holiday Inns or McDonald's along the way, but there was...
...the hospice.
Back then, a hospice meant something different than it does today. It was a refuge...a safe place to stop, rest, and get re-provisioned along a well-travelled pilgrimage route.
As it turns out, the Val d’Orcia had a very popular pilgrim's path running right through it...The Franciagena...the main road connecting France and Rome.
This former hospice, called Spedaletto, still stands, and today serves as a pair of upscale bed and breakfasts.
This was the view that the weary traveller would see as he approached.
It was more of a fortress than a hotel.
Yes, that's Carol in the crook of the wall.
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| Entrance to the chapel |
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| One of the B&B's |
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| The other B&B |
I like that meaning of hospice ... and it's not all that different than the familiar, modern definition as it turns out. The B&B's look really nice. I'd like to relax in one of those chairs in the sunshine. It's been very foggy here in Seattle the past week or so, sometimes never clearing up at all. But yesterday I went hiking up toward Stevens Pass (Beckler Peak), and as soon as we got just a little bit of elevation it was sunny and warm all day. 360 views at the top with views of Glacier Peak, Baker, Index, Chimney Peak, etc. Then back home to the fog for the rest of the weekend.
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