Fivizanno and Cinque terre,

We spent the month of May in Fivizzano, a truly wonderful experience. I taught two trips in Fivizzano, Tuscany. On each trip we went to Cinque Terre several times.

When Debbie, I and Monica arrived finally in Fivizzano, after what seemed hours of winding roads leading ever higher, we finally found the center of town, where Guiseppe, the owner of Villa Medici, met us in his local cafe. We had the most delicious cappuccino which we found later only cost 1 euro. Guiseppe said follow me and took us down treacherous cobbled lanes with extreme bends, which Debbie took on valiantly. We reached our destination without a scratch on our 9 seater van. If I had know how bad it was I would have bought two cars with us. Guiseppe had no problem flying around the town in his Fiat 505.

The view of Villa Medici from the garden, just a few minutes to walk up the cobbled lane into the center of town, where we were welcomed and looked after so kindly by everyone. Guiseppe took us to the ancient library, where students are still allowed to used ancient hand written hand made books as reference books. How trusting.

Guiseppe took us to meet Francesco, the director of the Library and the Museum, who told us a little about the history of Fivizzano. The first Pope of Medici came from Fivizzano. Pope Nicolo the 5th. The Popes ceremonial garments were made for the Papel ceremony, his good friend one of the cardinals, who had started his life as a very naughty boy before he found the calling also came from Fivizzano and was the Popes chosen cardinal for his confessions. Hum!

The Papal vestements were sold to the Duchy of Florence when Fivizzano became very poor, for a small amount of money and it just so happened that for the month of May 2023 the vestements were on loan from Florence, right there in the ancient museum of Fivizzano. I was very over excited and asked if Francesco could give us and my painters a guided tour. Yes of course he said. Guiseppe enthusiastically Italian, said leave it to me leave it to me. Soon a time was arranged and Guiseppe’s friend Francesca became our translator. They would not accept any money from us. They were so gracious, so kind and giving and so warm. We were being loved by strangers.

Fivizzano to be continued………..