10 churches along the Via Francigena

The Pieve di Sorano was mentioned in the 10th century by Sigeric, the Archibishop of Canterbury, who spent some time in the area on his way back from Rome.

The whole building is made with impoverished, local materials (river rocks) and was completely restored in 2000. 

The Abbey was founded in 884 AD, inside a castle, and is the oldest monument in Aulla. The building assumed its current appearance with three naves around 1070 and it was refurbished in the 14th century and during the baroque period.

When in the area, you should pay a visit to the San Caprasio museum as well.

The church was built on the remains of a monastery and was consecrated in 1389, as noted on the stone in the Chapel of the Stigmata.

The façade was reconstructed in 1936, based on designs by Cesario Fellini, and the basement cherishes the Cybo-Malaspina tomb, the final resting place of the town’s princes. Inside the Cathedral, you will find many noteworhty works of art, such as Pinturicchio’s Madonna with Child.

Founded in the seventh century by Benedictine monks, along with a monastic complex surrounded by walls. It has long been a reference point along the Via Francigena route.

Make sure you see the 17th century organ that every summer takes centre stage in an International Organ Festival.

Construction on this Catholic cathedral began in 1063. Of the original structure, we can still admire the great apse and the bell tower. Inside, there’s the most precious relic in Lucca - the Holy Face of Lucca – and the funeral monument of Ilaria del Carretto, sculpted in 1408 by Jacopo della Quercia.

There’s a legend to explain why all the columns of the façade are different: a contest for the best column was announced and every artist made one, then the inhabitants of Lucca decided to keep all the columns without paying the artists!

The town of Altopascio and its "Spedale" (or hospital) have welcomed crowds of pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The complex dates back to the 11th century and also includes the Church of San Jacopo, which was build in the following century. Both the church and the complex underwent many renovations and expansions across the years.

Fun fact, the order of friars that oversaw the Spedale adopted the Tau as their symbol and in 1239 Pope Gregory IX bestowed the Rule upon the Tau friars, officially making them a relogious order. 

The Oratory dedicated to the Madonna del Loreto is a small space set within the premises of San Miniato Town hall.

Built in the late 13th century, it boasts walls and vaultscompletely frescoed with scenes from the life of Christ.

To the rear of the cathedral, an impressive staircase leads to this gem.

Admire the frescoes that completely decorate the magnificent vaults, the most extensive and articulated religious cycle of the Sienese Renaissance, and the splendid baptismal font by Jacopo della Quercia, Donatello and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

Under the Baptistery, a room with 180 square meters of fully painted walls. Buffered and filled with debris, it remained buried and hidden for about seven centuries and unexpectedly rediscovered during excavation work in 1999.

The paintings, original colors, subjects and architectures give us important insight into the Sienese painting school of the thirteenth century. 

The first known document about San Quirico d’Orcia dates to 712 AD and it’s an act relating to a dispute between the diocese of Siena and Arezzo for the possession of some churches, among which figure the beautiful church of San Quirico in Osenna.

The Collegiata we admire today was built right above the oldest Osenna church between the 12th and 13th centuries. Among the other things, the interior boasts beautiful inlaid panels by the sienese Antorio Barilli.