A Pilgrim's Footsteps- Sarzana to Camaiore

A hearty breakfast at the nice Caffe del Teatro in Sarzana gave us enough energy to face the first part of our pilgrimage walk.  On the steps of the town’s Santa Maria Cathedral, Father Peter greeted us and invited us into the Church to receive the credential stamp in our books (a special pilgrim’s passport).

After saying prayers he blessed us. On the way out we noticed incredible works of art along the aisles of the church: two marble altars dating back to the 15^th century and a crucifix by Maestro Guglielmo dating to 1138. These works literally left me and my five companions (Mark, Angela, Monica, George, & Francis) enchanted and speechless.

Sarzana, Maestro Guglielmo's Crucifix

Sarzana, Riccomanni Marble altar, 1471

Sarzana's Cathedral

The journey began on an asphalt road between houses. We took a variation of the Francigena route, which goes down to the sea instead climbing up and along the steep hills. At the Archaeological Museum in Luni, an ancient Roman port (now inland 3 km from the sea) we rested and had a bagged lunch. Then the path continued along a beautiful green area up to our hostel for the night in Marina di Carrara. Total mileage- 25 km!

Pietrasanta Cathedral

The next day, we took a long coastal pathway to Marina di Pietrasanta. As we walked, it seemed like millions of joggers and cyclists passed us on the side walk! To tell you the truth I would have preferred to lay on the beach here rather than walk! In Pietrasanta we received a further stamp on our credentials before reaching our final destination Camaiore.

These two cities are very beautiful and worthy of a longer stay. Unfortunately however, the physical fatigue and the public transportation schedule did not allow us to visit too many places in the towns, since we needed to return to Florence. Our consolation, however, at least for Camaiore, is that the next portion of our pilgrimage starts from here, so we will be back again soon!  This day’s mileage-  km 28.

- Posted by Angelica