Photos

A mondane moment caught in the charming Abbadia a Isola (also known as Badia Isola), near Monteriggioni in Tuscany.

I'm not sure what it feels like to live right next to a splendid Romanesque abbey like the one in this little village, but I'm envious of the (well-equipped) chap who was gardening there.

Not an in any way special photo, I just liked the contrast between the 900-odd year old abbey and the mondane everyday life (and the quite hi-tech gear the chap was using).

From Castelli Toscani:

"The Isola Abbey was built, as indicated in its name, on the edge of a swampy area at the crossroads between four countries: Florence, Fiesole, Siena and Volterra. The place was an important stretch of the Via Francigena, the junction between the secondary roads leading to Florence and Volterra.

The Abbey, with its wide properties, was conceived to consolidate the heritage of the founder family creating an alliance between monasticism and nobility, a common occurrence in the Medieval society.

During the 11th century the Abbey continued to expand strengthening its control over the territory and the Via Francigena, an hospice - documented from 1050 - and a xenodochio (pilgrims' refuge area) - documented from 1102 - were built to offer assistance to wayfarers."