Fiesole, Italy … another 2001 Douglas memory

Douglas was wonderful to travel with because he had been to Italy many times and he could easily cut out the tourist traps. He was better than a travel guide and when he told me that our trip would not be complete without a visit to the magical town of Fiesole, perched on the hills north of Florence, I believed him. A short ride on the number 7 bus took us there .

When we reached the town center, the Piazza Mino, I was awed with the views that were on all 4 sides. However, it was the steep walk up the Via San Francesco that really made me feel like I was stepping back into history. It leads to the Abbey of San Francesco, begun in 1330 by a group of hermits, and taken over by the Franciscan’s, who expanded it in 1407.

                                            
We were able to visit the monk’s cells and I can’t imagine how they existed through the winter months. Each cell had a stone bench for a bed, a rustic table and candles for light. A window in each cell was open to the elements.

I am so glad that Douglas recommended that we go to Fiesole. It gave us a well needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.