RAPHA FESTIVE 500/2017 VALTER BALLARINI
FESTIVE 500 IN UMBRIA I live in Umbria. This year the Festive 500 was an opportunity to review the places affected by the 2016 earthquake that devastated central Italy. I went to Preci to review the Abbey of Sant'Eutizio a Syrian monk who along with others in 300 d.c. he gave birth to European monasticism then codified with his "rule" by St. Benedict, born a few miles from the abbey and his frequent visitor. Unfortunately, most of the abbey is gone and snow and cold make reconstruction work difficult. The day after I went to Assisi, hit by another recent earthquake in 1998 which, however, has managed to consolidate its building structures and its monuments. Assisi has not suffered any damage and its jewels of art and spirituality shine unlike those found in the upper Valnerina. I ended the challenge by touring the Holy Valley of Rieti visiting the 4 Franciscan monasteries present. Unlike other days, mostly gray, the last day was sunny. My Festive was a journey into memory and an opportunity to fall in love even more with Umbria and its charm, sober, enhanced by the illuminations and the many nativity scenes that you meet along the way. The Festive 500 of Rapha is a nice opportunity to live in a smart way days far from the noise and stress of the year-end parties. Thank you Rapha.
PRECI - VALNERINA
ASSISI - SAN FRANCESCO
SAN FRANCESCO - BASILICA
VALLE UMBRA