The Chiesa di San Jacopo is one of the remnants of the Middle ages in the pilgrimage city of Altopascio. Here poor San Jacopo takes on a pigeon.
Altopascio, a Tuscan village of a little over 12,000 people today, was founded in 1060 when a group of folks built a hospice there along the Via Francigena. Over time, Altopascio became well known for the quality of its bread.
So if you ask seasoned travelers if you should go to Altopascio, given its history, they will invariably answer “no,” citing the large build-up of modern commercial bread factories just outside of the medieval center.
Of course, when people tell me I shouldn’t visit somewhere, I just have to go. It’s just the way I am.
The medieval village is actually quite pleasant. There are several fine restaurants. We had a good lunch at Osteria La Dispensa, right in the middle of town. It’s not worth more than an afternoon, but you can have a pleasant stroll and see the buildings of the hospice, the Chiesa di San Jacopo (shown), and the Torre Voltola (Voltola Tower).
Here’s a map of Altopascio.
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