Ti Prego - Discovering the spiritual places where to admire silence
Ti Prego (I pray you) is the name of an evocative route that leads us to discover hidden art and architecture in Palazzuolo sul Senio, not only churches among mountains and hamlets, but ancient convents and monasteries too: exploring it on foot or by eBike is an alternative way to approach the rediscovery of silence while respecting the environment.
There are two suggested legs: the Badia di Susinana monastery and the Quadalto convent, both of them enchanting places on the Mugello mountains.
The ancient Susinana complex in the Vallombrosa area can be reached via the SP 306 state road towards Casola Valsenio. At the 5,7 km you turn following the directions to the Church, which is about 1 km away.
The monastery, located on top of a hillock between the Senio and Rio Cesare rivers, is preceded by an imposing mill, from which you access an arched bridge; it is advisable to leave your bike here and proceed on foot, hearing just the sound of your own footsteps, along the cobbledpath that winds up among the pine trees and then climbs up to the Abbey.
It is interesting to visit the inside of the church, where you can admire the fine wooden choir dating to 1771 and the ceramic baptismal font made by the Manifattura Fornaci San Lorenzo.
From the Abbey it is worth reaching Misileo, that is the Frontier District, the border with Tuscan Romagna which is home to the secondoldest tobacco shop in Italy! A licence was granted in 1864 to Alberto Pifferi, ancestor of the current owner, who will regale you with his tales.
And before moving on to the next leg, we suggest you to sample the local mushroom and truffle-based delicacies!
The Madonna della Neve Shrine can be reached from the centre of Palazzuolo sul Senio travelling along the state road to Florence for 1,2 km, right after the village of Quadalto. The convent is a place of beauty and peace with a strong contemplative trait; it has been the seat of the Francescane Ancelle di Maria nuns for over 250 years.
According to tradition it was the Virgin Mary who led the three founders to create the shrine in 1774 "in my Oratory of Acuadalto where the scentof wild roses is found".
Furthermore, why not take a break at the Bar Quadalto, a few metres away from the Convent? Here you will find a permanent exhibition on Palazzuolo,c’era una volta/Una volta, a Palazzuolo (Once upon a time in Palazzuolo): on display are photographs and documents that highlight its architecture, art, recorded history and also, sometimes, a little melancholy.
Foto Archivio UC Mugello
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Badia di Susinana Monastery
Santa Maria Assunta di Rio Cesare a Susinana is located on the Mugello mountains in an evocative place between the two rivers, Senio and Rio Cesare, in the municipality of Palazzuolo sul Senio; it is a very fascinating place, which has undergone transformations over the centuries and has been the focus of historical events experienced by these border places of the Apennines between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.
A spiritual place of light, silence, reflection and pure air that originally was a monastic complex in the Vallombrosa area starting from 1090. As early as the Middle Ages it has welcomed pilgrims and adventurers, in 1680 the Abbot was the Vicar of the «Holy» Inquisition in Palazzuolo and in more recent times it has been used as a hospital and a warehouse for the troops during World War II.
Buried in its cemetery in 1302 was Maghinardo Pagani, remembered by Dante in the 27th canto of the Inferno.
Legend has it that once a year, on the spring equinox, a ray of sunshine, seeping through a hole, would reveal the location of the tomb...
Found inside the church are a fine wooden choir dating to 1771, located behind the main altar, and the ceramic baptismal font made by the Manifattura Fornaci San Lorenzo, according to the typical ideals of the Renaissance, re-worked in a modern and art deco style, to a design by Tito Chini.
Madonna della Neve di Aquadalto Shrine
The Convent, located in the small village of Quadalto about one kilometre away from Palazzuolo sul Senio, is a charismatic place, thanks to the Francescane Ancelle di Maria nuns who have looked after the cradle of their congregation for over 250 years.
A place of beauty with a strong contemplative trait, which stems from a message that the Virgin Mary addressed to the three founders on the night of July 16 1744: “Go to my Oratory of Acquadalto, i have chosen that place for myself, where there is the scent of white wild roses and waters murmur and birds sing; go, o my sisters, and stop here among the white rose gardens and create the peaceful place that you desire”.
Kept inside the Church is the image of the Madonna with Child dating to the end of the 15th century. Painted on a stone which was once located on the path leading towards the mountain pass, after a few miraculous events the stone was cut and brought inside the Shrine.
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