A Hike with Tradition
Hiking the high hills of Umbria has been formalized into a religious tradition for certain times of the year. The Pascuarella is one such traditional pilgrimage occurring in springtime. It's a tradition that occurs in several parts of Italy, but it's in Umbria that I experienced it. The term "Pascuarella" derives from the Epiphany, considered the first feast celebrated in Catholicism after the new year.
The Pascuarella in Umbria
It's springtime in Umbria (the photos were taken a few years before Covid). The sun is shining and the green land glows with new vegetation. We've driven out from our little village of Morruzze to a major highway (the one going to Orvieto) in order to join a procession of people on the Pascuarella.
Our destination is the sanctuary called Madonna della Pascuarella, located in the Forello gorge in Baschi. It started for us by parking our car wherever we could find a spot among the many cars lining the highway. We then joined others walking down the steep path down from the highway's verge. We continued on the path that winds its way up again, across the gorge, and up to the church that sits among rocks and vegetation across the highway.
Sanctuary of the Madonna della Pascuarella
The small church, dating from the early Middle Ages, fell to ruins and became the residence of religious hermits, then was restored and re-instated as a parish church in the 19thC. It comes alive during this festival.
A Family Affair
It's a family affair (with baby strollers ), the goal being to reach the shrine by walking a somewhat arduous path. But there's a celebratory aspect to it, as well. Traditional religious songs making the occasion are often sung along the path, and street musicians often perform at the given destination. I've learned that the songs are generally simple, consisting of sacred praises along with inducements to charity. Often they are enriched with appendices of profane or bizarre images, and always conclude with the wish of happy holidays or with requests for gifts and food. Popular food carts (now trucks) serve the traditionally good porchetta (pork) sandwiches in this region Trinkets and memorabilia fill the sanctuary area as well.
The Destination
The church, itself, is a small one. It held fewer than 50 people inside when I took this photo. We all sat on wooden benches in this rather lovely little nave.
The tone of the whole event was pleasantly communal and memorable, even during the trek back across the gorge and to our cars, waiting on the highway.
More Creative Life News
You can read and see more recent posts about Italy, plus other travels and creative adventures by this itinerant artist at my Creative Life News site here.
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