Tuscany, June 2018

At Gavinana, Tuscany, Italy. An unlikely name for a cafe. Maramaldo was a villain who murdered the town's hero, Francesco Ferrucci. Maramaldo is associated with cowardice and villainy.

At Gavinana, Tuscany, Italy.

Gavinana is a small town of winding streets that nestles in the hills and mountains of the Pistoia region of Tuscany.

In the church of Santa Maria Assunta, Gavinana, Tuscany, Italy. The flowering staff seems to refer to the story of how a spouse for Mary (the Biblical mother of Jesus) was divinely chosen when his dead stick miraculously burst into flower. This 'non biblical' story seems to have been popular in Italy, it was the subject of Raphael's famous painting Lo Sposalizio. ISO 12800 in a dark corner and a lot of post processing. Joseph is supposed to be a model of male humility in service and duty, so perhaps he would not mind not being the point of focus.

At Gavinana, Tuscany, Italy. In 1530 Ferrucci took Florentine troops into battle against Emperor Charles 5th's forces in an attempt to rid the town of Gavinana of the imperial invaders. Ferrucci was captured and executed by Fabrizio Maramaldo. A 'maramaldo' has since become a term applied to a cowardly and despicable person.

At Gavinana, Tuscany, Italy. In 1530 Ferrucci took Florentine troops into battle against Emperor Charles 5th's forces in an attempt to rid the town of Gavinana of the imperial invaders. Ferrucci was captured and executed by Fabrizio Maramaldo. A 'maramaldo' has since become a term applied to a cowardly and despicable person.

At Gavinana, Tuscany, Italy.

Gavinana is a small town of winding streets that nestles in the hills and mountains of the Pistoia region of Tuscany.

A cafe that serves traditional Tuscan dishes made with locally resourced ingredients. Many local customers in the day time, an obvious recommendation.