S. Giorgio della Spelonca - 05 |
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Thirty years after Biglia’s death, the artist Benozzo Gozzoli was commissioned to paint his famous fresco cycle of 1464 – 1465 on the life of St Augustine in the Augustinian Church at San Gimignano, where is still remains as a venue for pilgrims and a tourist attraction.
One of his sections of the fresco has Augustine in a hermitage that is presumably located in the Pisan mountains; it certainly is not a North African landscape. The myth of Augustine’s possible sojourn at a Tuscan hermitage such as S Giorgio della Spelona was still alive and being actively promoted.
Image (below). The particular section of Gozzoli’s fresco series in the Augustinian church at San Gimignano that in the background shows Augustine and hermits. With artistic licence, the hermits are well-dressed. As well, the same fresco depicts the myth of Augustine’s conversation about the Trinity with a child playing in the sand (at left), and Augustine giving his Rule to friars (at right), who look more like Italians than North Africans. For an excellent description of each fresco in this series, go to the homepage of a teacher at Villanova University at http://www46.homepage.villanova.edu/john.immerwahr/aug.htm
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Even when the assertion about fifth-century hermits on Mount Pisano was finally laid aside, there is, nevertheless, just as much certainty about the thirteenth-century pre-Grand Union Augustinian history at S. Giorgio della Spelonca as there is about the hermitage at Rosia, i.e., 100% certainty in both instances.
The former hermitage at Rosia still attracts pilgrimages today, but S. Georgio della Spelonca does not. The reasons for this are very practical ones: Rosia is conveniently closer to the present Augustinian habitations of San Gimignano and Lecceto, and is a relatively brief walk from a highway along a well-identified track, whereas S. Georgio della Spelonca is more of a challenge.
To reach the former hermitage at Spelonca, go to Passo di Dante by car (from Santa Maria del Giudice follow the street from Quagliodromo). At the Pass, walk along the track to Passo di Croce (Pass of the Cross), and thence to La Spelonca. You then will walk past some ruined houses, after which proceed on the right, following the path with red and white markings. The 1.5 kilometres are not arduous, but should not be attempted without local knowledge or without good weather.
For further information
The former hermitage.
www.montipisani.com
Directions to the former hermitage.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=c20863b7-4360-4d94-b230-e8a1b471728d
ID2931
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