Spirituality

The Via Francigena

The Via Francigena is the symbol of European cultural identity, a major route travelled in the past by thousands of pilgrims, wayfarers and traders. The story goes that it was Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was the first to travel this route at the end of the 10th century on his journey to Rome to receive the pallium, a symbol of archiepiscopal dignity, from the hands of Pope John XV. The 1600km or so of the 80-stage route were described in detail in his journal, which today bears witness to bygone times and places.

Together with the pilgrimage to Santiago di Campostela, the Via Francigena today exerts a mysterious fascination over new pilgrims in search of spirituality, places of art and unspoilt nature. The stretch of the Via Francigena that crosses Tuscany is certainly one of the most picturesque and popular routes. Have a chat with Toma, who made his pilgrimage to Rome this year.

Valley floor route
In the late Middle Ages, the Via Francigena passed along the Elsa river, through Poggibonsi, Certaldo, Gambassi and Castelfiorentino. This route is the so-called valley floor route. Don’t be surprised to discover that that there are many variations of the Via Francigena, because the route was constantly changing due to the crumbling terrain. We recommend that you visit the two jewels of the Middle Ages found in our area: Stopping at Santa Maria a Chianni is a must for all pilgrims.
Admire the setting of the sun beneath the walls of these magnificent buildings, experience the emotions of a pilgrim of the Middle Ages by immersing yourself in the peace and quiet, and calmly savour the austerity and simplicity of the aisles shrouded in the shadows that induce meditation and awaken spirituality. During the summer, there are classical music concerts in Santa Maria a Chianni.

Walking on the Via Francigena
The famous Sigericosis route winds through Tuscany for about 50 km, covering the municipalities of Fucecchio, Castelfiorentino and Gambassi Terme. Following the unmistakeable signs depicting a pilgrim, you can walk part of the way, choosing between one of the three stages covering the Valdelsa:

Stage 29 – From Altopascio to San Miniato (29km)
Stage 30 – From San Miniato to Gambassi Terme (23.9km)
Stage 31 – From Gambassi to San Gimignano (13.4km)

For more information: Via Francigena

San Vivaldo – The Jerusalem of Tuscany

Located in the Selva di Camporena, it has been a place of worship since the Middle Ages. It is linked to Vivaldo, the hermit saint who lived in contemplative solitude in the hollow of a chestnut trunk that he had chosen as his home, and is a place that evokes ancient feelings.
There is no place like it. It has a unique synthesis between history, art, spirituality and nature.
The ‘Jerusalem’ of San Vivaldo, built in the early 16th century by the Franciscan Friars Minor guardians of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most significant Western recreations of the Holy Land. A series of chapels scattered through the woodland around the church created a form of ‘substitute pilgrimage’, offering an alternative at a time when travelling to Jerusalem was costly and fraught with danger.

The chapels examples of ‘humble’ architecture, classical in spirit yet deliberately simple embody the beauty of truly popular art. Inside, they house remarkable groups of polychrome terracotta sculptures, inspired by episodes from the Passion and the life of Jesus of Nazareth, attributed to the Della Robbia circle and to artists such as Agnolo di Polo and Benedetto Buglioni.
In 1516 Pope Leone X granted an indulgence to those who went on a pilgrimage to the chapels of San Vivaldo, and for centuries the tradition of pilgrimage was kept alive at this holy place.

Dozens of people who live in the chapels still welcome visitors today, taking them on a timeless journey of meditation and prayer, introspection and discovery.

Gerusalemme di San Vivaldo - Via S. Vivaldo, 1, 50050 San Vivaldo FI - Coordinate GPS: 43.524313, 10.898291

Uomini-Pietra di Gambassi

In the dense woodland where the Casciani stream rises, near Gambassi Terme, a waymarked trail leads to a one-of-a-kind place, inhabited by mysterious stone figures. At first glance they look like the remnants of an ancient civilisation but they are, in fact, surprisingly recent.
Among water-carved gullies and rocky ravines, you’ll come across a sarcophagus and human-shaped totems, surrounded by carved heads and statues: traces of an art that is as fascinating as it is contemporary. The creator is Maurizio Becherini, bricklayer, barber and tailor, widower and father of three, who, after the death of his wife, retired to a solitary life in these woods in 1918. Inspired by the figure of Vivaldo, the medieval hermit, he retired to a solitary life. In just over ten years he tamed the forest and carved the stone, giving life to a sacred space. He built a small chapel and filled the forest with walkways, statues, shrines, saints and Christian symbols. He used cement, chicken nets as armour, shells, buttons and stones. Becherini welcomes pilgrims and walkers, while the Church considers it a unique phenomenon, criticising its ‘grotesque and ridiculous’ statues. After his death in 1932, the vegetation partly reconquered the forest, but the remains of his work now offer suggestive glimpses of private archaeology. Exploring this place means stepping into the world of a hermit and visionary who spent thirteen years living far from ordinary life, guided only by devotion and creativity.

From the village of Gambassi, you can follow the Via Francigena towards San Gimignano. This stretch of the route offers spectacular views over the Valdelsa, Certaldo, and the famous towers of San Gimignano.
Accompanied by vineyards and centuries-old holm oak groves, just after Casanuova you take a path on the right that follows the valley floor up along the Casciani stream. After passing Santa Teresa, you will reach the San Claudio farmstead. Continue along the Casciani and you’ll soon arrive at i Bollori.
To return to Gambassi, take the connecting trail that leads straight back to the village.