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Italian towns, it’ s the heart of the community, a medieval village that is protected by great stone walls that hide the vigoli( narrow streets) within.
Watching over the day-to-day life is the Rocca Longobarda, a fortress constructed in the eighth century, the rising sun cast a warming glow across the ancient structure that was a beacon to those around. My partner is fascinated by piles of old stones, I less so, and yet here I was facing this construction and fascinated by its form and purpose.
Indeed, it was a beacon that seemed to draw the traveller to the surrounding walls, within a darkened doorway another warm glow invited a peak. This was the doorway to the Church of Santa Maria, a house of worship that has a similar age to that of the Rocca
Longobarda. The church is regarded as one of the oldest of its type in the region and is home to a number of artifacts that are considered of importance.
A number of additions were placed in the early twentieth century, yet none have diminished the appearance of the ancient structure. I’ ve very rarely set foot in a catholic church despite having Italian heritage and here was something that felt right, a warm, inviting, comfort that suggested a visitor should enter. It was a metaphor for the whole of Pietralunga where miracles are said to have taken place.
Amongst the local artworks placed within the piazza, a bronze man, and his dog, painted grates and utility doors, there’ s something odd, an axe of sorts wedged within a tree stump. Closer inspection reveals a small bird sat atop the axe handle. It’ s mysterious and central to the town. History has it that eight hundred years ago, Giovanni di Lorenzo d’ Arras, a pilgrim on his way to Lucca, passed through
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