Opposite each other. Door 1…look at the latin ” MALEDICTUS HOMO”Door 2 ” QUI CONTIDIT IN HOMINE”
The LORD says ” cursed is the man who trusts in man ” (this is what is above the two doors) then Jeremiah continues … who depends on one’s self for their strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will live in dry places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
Jeremiah 17: 5-10
Now that you have seen these two doors in this castle of Gradara with quotes from Jeremiah I wonder what you are thinking? Well then there is this…
This is a small but important section of a painting signed by Giovanni Santi 1484. Giovanni Santi was active in the court of Montefeltro in Urbino. He was the father of Raphael. Sophia is holding a model of the medieval fortified Castello di Gradara in her hands. This is the castle we will enter…An active place in the 11th and 15th centuries with feuds between the Malatesta and the Montefeltro families. This was stopped when the Sforza family took the castle. There is a grassed moat and a draw bridge.Medieval brickwork turrets.
Bess couldn’t enter this castle so Roy and I took turns. It was early and maybe just another couple were in the building. I turn left when I forget, given directions, and I did. I went through a small door and entered the torture chamber. Casting my eyes over it I left and went up some stairs to a room with chairs. I took a photo then read about the room when suddenly I knew there was someone else in the room. A slim, custodian of the fortress was beside me. I think I jumped because he apologised for startling me. He also apologised for his English which I would not accept. It was good with a gentle Italian accent.
The chair dwarfed by a fire place fit for a castle with high ceilings.I was glad he had come for we were now standing looking up at this painting. This was the last lady to have lived in the castle. She died here in 1983. All this was her private home. Her first husband had inherited the castle/Fort but died leaving her a widow. She had then married an ambassador. They spent summer and autumn in this place but travelled during the winter and spring. I did comment that I would not enjoy living in such a place to which there was a persuasive response showing me how the rooms had been used. Interesting, with their hidden TV and comfy sofas etc etc and..…paintings of a religious nature . ..an enormous canopy hanging above the bed.…a playful children filled scene, as a fresco.The fresco as part of the room. Press on all these to see them in full.
We went into several bedrooms with frescos and paintings but the last bedroom had a story I have already told. (the story behindthe sculpture of a woman and a man reading together) Dante immortalised it in his Divine Comedy. Dante brought ‘peace’ to this castle by saying it happened in this room and that this castle should be a symbol of love.
Yes, this for Dante was the (in)famous room. (A husband killed his wife and his brother. Personally I detest it!)An internal verandah space, with no views but alot of safety. In the foreground is a wooden bridge between two different parts of this fortress castle.
Then outside the walls of Gradara another scene was unfolding.
One I really appreciated. One of immense learned trust.
Front ……back. Such perfect feathers all the different types, neatly arranged and in shades of brown with white tips.They weren’t blindfolded and even with me there they had so much focus on their handlers, who told me what they were doing. Here were two young women training Mexican eagles/crested Caracara (a common subject of folklore and legends throughout central and South America .) A wonderful sight.Looking out over the farmland through the morning haze of what was going to be a warm day in Gradara.
Thank you for looking at this post. A visit to a home and castle.
What an interesting and terrifying place. I think I’d be scared and intrigued to walk those halls alone. Oh, the stories you are collecting! You must just be bursting with inspiration.
The castle’s exterior is gorgeous, amazing it is that old!! Castle interiors are usually so dark and dreary, then to see these knowing a murder took place, you couldn’t get me to spend the night there, lol. Gorgeous eagle!
I have not been to Italy yet, but I am keen to go there and your stories certainly make me even more keen, thank you. So lovely to collect the stories from one’s life and share them with others too. 💐🥰
Thank you Morgan for your encouragement about my stories. I thought it important to do them. as you never know what the future holds and I have learnt so much about life from reading about other’s lives. I hope mine will help too. Yes, Italy is proving full of discoveries that I love. Thank you for taking the time as I know you are busy with so much.🥰🙋
It was all fine. Sometimes linguists love to use their languages especially if they don’t have much opportunity. They don’t get many English people there.
What an interesting and terrifying place. I think I’d be scared and intrigued to walk those halls alone. Oh, the stories you are collecting! You must just be bursting with inspiration.
Yes , I was genuinely scared when I knew someone had come into the room. Strange!
The castle’s exterior is gorgeous, amazing it is that old!! Castle interiors are usually so dark and dreary, then to see these knowing a murder took place, you couldn’t get me to spend the night there, lol. Gorgeous eagle!
Thought you would like the Eagle. Yes , not my choice of place to stay. Murder seems to abound!
Such beauty. Italy looks like a wonderful country. Careful of the custodian😊.
Italy is wonderful especially when you are not in a rush.
I have not been to Italy yet, but I am keen to go there and your stories certainly make me even more keen, thank you. So lovely to collect the stories from one’s life and share them with others too. 💐🥰
Thank you Morgan for your encouragement about my stories. I thought it important to do them. as you never know what the future holds and I have learnt so much about life from reading about other’s lives. I hope mine will help too. Yes, Italy is proving full of discoveries that I love. Thank you for taking the time as I know you are busy with so much.🥰🙋
You are most welcome, enjoy Italy 🥰🙋♀️
Fascinating! You are brave to wander on your own
It was all fine. Sometimes linguists love to use their languages especially if they don’t have much opportunity. They don’t get many English people there.