Tourists with an interest in sacred landmarks are sure to enjoy a visit to the Hermitage of San Vivaldo in Tuscany. The Holy Mount of San Vivaldo attracts many thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year and dates back to the 14th century when the saint himself chose this site to live a life of fasting and penance in offering to God.
Stay at a gorgeous villa with a swimming pool in Tuscany where you can relax and unwind after your cultural day trips of the region.
After the saint’s death a beautiful chapel and later a monastery and churches were added in the following century. The San Vivaldo Hermitage became known as ‘The Jerusalem of Tuscany’ where people could travel to without going on the expensive and sometimes dangerous pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Stay at a gorgeous villa with a swimming pool in Tuscany where you can relax and unwind after your cultural day trips of the region.
After the saint’s death a beautiful chapel and later a monastery and churches were added in the following century. The San Vivaldo Hermitage became known as ‘The Jerusalem of Tuscany’ where people could travel to without going on the expensive and sometimes dangerous pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Those that travelled the long journey to the San Vivaldo Hermitage from all over Italy were often granted ‘Indulgences’ for their devotion and period of fasting and penance on arrival. Indulgences were believed to be subtractions of time off how long a soul had to spend in purgatory before entering heaven.
The story of San Vivaldo is an interesting one which will surely interest tourists on their visit here. Vivaldo Stricchi was born in San Gimignano in 1260. His family was very wealthy and he grew up in an atmosphere of feasting, parties and luxury.
The story of San Vivaldo is an interesting one which will surely interest tourists on their visit here. Vivaldo Stricchi was born in San Gimignano in 1260. His family was very wealthy and he grew up in an atmosphere of feasting, parties and luxury.
In 1285, he and some friends bought the Palazzo della Consuma in Siena where they continued to squander money on parties until all finally fell into poverty. Some of his friends died and others struggled to find a job to survive.
Vivaldo became a student of a priest called Bartolo who lived a humble life in Picchiena, not far from San Gimignano. When his beloved mentor died, Vivaldo was inspired to live a life dedicated to God and decided to leave all his worldly possessions behind.
He moved to the site of the present day hermitage and actually spent his nights sleeping in a hollowed out cell in a giant chestnut tree! He lived a life of penance and fasting until his death at 60 years old. Come and see this solemn place for yourself on your next cultural vacation to Tuscany!
Vivaldo became a student of a priest called Bartolo who lived a humble life in Picchiena, not far from San Gimignano. When his beloved mentor died, Vivaldo was inspired to live a life dedicated to God and decided to leave all his worldly possessions behind.
He moved to the site of the present day hermitage and actually spent his nights sleeping in a hollowed out cell in a giant chestnut tree! He lived a life of penance and fasting until his death at 60 years old. Come and see this solemn place for yourself on your next cultural vacation to Tuscany!
