EXPLORING THE MEDIEVAL CITY
Finally we were going to explore the medieval city and we are so lucky that a relative of Pasquale, Raphael will guide us. He is a very learned gentleman who is a professor and someone who has an extensive knowledge of history and a keen interest in philosophy.
Raphael actually lived in the walled city when he was growing up. His memories are vivid as he pointed out where he lived and where his grandmother lived. He shared an immense amount of historic facts with us as we wended our way through alleys (which at one time were streets) and up and down steps. The doorways were particularly interesting to me (as you will see from the photos).
The history of the medieval city and its evolvement begins with the fact that much of South Central Italy was heavily invaded. Throughout the early centuries, Etruscans, Romans, Greeks, Samnites, as well as a Gallic invasion. Thus a walled city, often with a castle, became the prevalent manner of establishing and protecting a village. Raphael told us that EVERYBODY lived within the walls of the city. They were a people married to the land, agriculture was the main industry. He pointed out where interior houses were, those that did not have a lot of light and no view of the mountains. Their homes were not houses in the sense we know – they were more like apartments contained in the stone structures which make up the medieval city. He showed us where the farmers would come back from the fields with their donkeys and that the donkeys spent the night within the walls also. Many of the ground floor doors were actually gates for the stables that housed everyone’s donkey.
As we traverse the stairs and steps, I feel late afternoon jet lag beginning to take hold. But we’re not done yet. We visited the beautiful Church of the Ascension and then…. To be continued…..
View of Guardia Sanframondi. You can clearly see the old town and parts of the new town built around it.
Most Of The Medieval City Has Been Abandoned.
These Doors Do Have Character
Steps, Stairs and Arches of the Medieval City.
Beautiful restoration. Doors to one of the newly-renovated and inhabited property in the Medieval city
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
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I still can’t figure out where you parked !
We didn’t park in the Medieval city, although there were places within where a small car could get in. Also there were those 3 wheel vehicles which can get in. Many of the steps have been removed and there are paths where a vehicle could drive in.