Travel To The Famous Chiusi Della Verna In Casentino

If you are staying in or even passing through the Casentino valley in Tuscany, a worthwhile visit would be one to the town of Chiusi della Verna. The sanctuary of La Verna, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, is located near the top of Mount Penna above the town of Chiusi della Verna. It is said to be one of the most peaceful places to be on earth.

There are many visitors to these parts because this is where St. Francis of Assisi lived for his final years in solitude with his fellow Franciscan monks. The nearby Basilica Maggiore contains terracotta sculpture by the famous Andrea della Robbia. Also to be viewed by the tourist is the Chapel of Relics which contains possessions of St. Francis when he was alive. There is a tablecloth, some crockery and a walking stick.

The most unusual artefact found is a ‘disciplina’, an iron handle whip used in a common Christian practice of ‘Mortification of the Flesh’, where monks would routinely whip their own flesh in penance for their sins. A relic of the saint’s blood staining a linen cloth can also be seen here. It’s carried around Chiusi della Verna during holy celebrations. After a visit to this sanctuary, a half hour of hiking would bring you to the summit of Mount Penna where the views are breath taking!

When you descend back down into the town, enjoy a lunch in one of the lovely restaurants here and try some local delicacies! The locals can’t seem to get enough of ‘Gota’ which is a wholesome salted pork cheek produced in Chiusi della Verna. It often served as an energising lunch to hungry workmen who tend to eat it along with fresh bread and cheese or mixed up in an omelette with eggs and potatoes.

Salsiccia matta is another popular product of this region. It is a flavoursome sausage made from the tongue, heart, cheek and entrails of a pig and minced together with lots of garlic and seasoning. The rich dark colouring comes from the addition of Sangiovese wine which softens the strong flavour.

In the afternoon, why not wander around the local information centre which tells the history of the first wool factory in La Verna that made clothing for the Franciscan monks and other locals many centuries ago. They created a textile known as Casentino cloth which had a rough texture and was highly resistant to wearing thin and tearing. In their experiments, the makers of the first Casentino cloth attempted to make it waterproof using a certain type of resin. Unknown to them, the resin contained a potent colorant which turned the cloth orange and has become its trademark ever since! Now an elegant fabric in huge demand all across Italy and beyond; its available in a large variety of colours but the traditional colours of orange, green and brown remain the most popular.

The town of Chiusi della Verna is a wonderful tourist attraction and one which is sure to enhance your enjoyment of the Casentino region. Browse or huge selection of tuscany villa rentals and start planning now your next trip to italy