The Piero della Francesca Trail - For group leaders

Introduction

Perhaps no artist more embodies the breadth, enigma and beauty of the early Renaissance than Piero della Francesca. A genius in mathematics as much as in painting, his works are filled with buried meaning, and their serene beauty draws us deeply into the mind of the artist and the exhilarating age in which he lived. For the believer, they are also a powerful meditation on the Christian story, and a moving vision of the themes of our salvation. Although he travelled to fulfil commissions, more than most artists Piero remained close to his roots. His Resurrection, described by Aldous Huxley ‘the best picture in the world’, remains in the small Tuscan town of Borgo San Sepolchro where he was born. His enigmatic painting of the Pregnant Madonna is close at hand in the small village of Monterchi. In nearby Arezzo, he executed between 1452 and 1456 his masterpiece, the majestic cycle of frescoes entitled The Legend of the True Cross. For his great patron Duke Federigo da Montefeltro - the embodiment of the Renaissance Prince - he created some smaller scale, but stunning, works of genius at Urbino. It has become popular to view these works of Piero together on the ‘Piero della Francesca’ trail, taking the pilgrim through some of the most breathtaking Italian countryside. The trail has been immortalised by the art critic John Pope Hennessy, by John Mortimer in his thriller ‘A Summer’s Lease’, and by Frances Mayes in ‘Bella Tuscany’. Shortly before the trip to Italy, we will begin our acquaintance with the works of Piero at the National Gallery in London, where three of his most famous works, The Nativity, The Baptism of the Lord, and the Archangel Michael, introduce us to the tranquil beauty of his painting.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE

Gatwick - Bologna - Citta di Castello

Scheduled flight from London to Bologna. On arrival transfer by coach to the medieval town of Cittá di Castello, where we check-in to our hotel for the seven nights.

DAY TWO

Monterchi - San Sepolcro

After breakfast we travel to the village of Monterchi, to see a painting by Piero of an unusual subject the Madonna del Parto, which depicts Our Lady about to give birth to Jesus, we also see a short video on the life and paintings or Piero della Francesca. Afterwards we need to travel only a short distance to discover some of Piero della Francesca’s greatest works. We will visit the town of his birth, San Sepolcro, named after the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as 2 returning pilgrims brought back soil from the shrine which tradition holds was laid down as the foundation for the monastery built there. The Museo Civico, once the town hall, houses the ‘Resurrection’ painted by Piero della Francesca which is the symbol of the town and is a poignant reminder of the recovery of San Sepolcro, after it was so badly damaged by the ravages of the 2nd World War. We return to the hotel late afternoon.

DAY THREE

Urbino

Today we travel into the neighbouring region of Abruzzo to visit the beautiful hilltop city of Urbino. Although, at first glance, Urbino is very much a medieval city, it received a renaissance ‘makeover’ thanks to its ruler in the mid-fifteenth century, Federigo da Montefeltri. Federigo was a great humanist and patron of the arts and sponsored Piero, several of whose works are exhibited in Federigo’s beautiful palace, including the ‘Flagellation’, which is perhaps the finest demonstration of Piero’s understanding of mathematical perspective. There will be a guided tour of the Palazzo Ducale after which we will have time at leisure to discover the ‘Ideal City’ for ourselves. Return to the hotel late afternoon.

DAY FOUR

Optional excursion to La Verna

Today you can choose to be at leisure in Cittá di Castello or take the optional tour to La Verna. Cittá di Castello is a pleasant walled medieval town with a lively main square and several sites of interest including a good art gallery. La Verna is a diversion from the Piero della Francesca trail but a very worthwhile one. Situated over 3,000ft above sea level, this beautiful sanctuary in the Casentino National Park was where St Francis and his followers came to spend short periods in seclusion and where in 1224 the great saint received what he felt to be the greatest honour from his Lord, that of the signs of Christ’s Passion, the Stigmata. La Verna, however, is also home to other great masterpieces of the renaissance, those made in ceramics by the Della Robbia family. In their familiar colours of pale blue and white they beautifully and movingly portray scenes from the Gospel, notably the Annunciation and the Crucifixion, and they are certainly a fine complement to the paintings of Piero della Francesca. Lunch in a local restaurant is included in the optional excursion and there will be time to join the procession, which each day takes place recalling St Francis’ receiving of the Stigmata.

DAY FIVE

Arezzo

Today we cross the provincial border into Tuscany to visit the beautiful city of Arezzo and in particular the Church of San Francesco, where Piero della Francesca carved out his masterpiece, the fresco cycle of the legend of the True Cross, which depicts a traditional account of how the relics of the cross on which Christ was crucified were found. However, Arezzo has much to offer and a guided walking tour will reveal many other sites, such as the stunning Church of Santa Maria della Pieve and a crucifix by Ciamabue in San Domenico. There will be time for wandering around the lovely squares and streets of Arezzo, which provide the backdrop for the film, ‘Life is Beautiful’.

DAY SIX

Perugia

Perugia, the capital of Umbria, situated on a hilltop dominates the valley below, and it was a great centre of trade and commerce in the Middle Ages. Perugia was at times a refuge for popes and even saw several elected here. The National Gallery is situated in the thirteenth century town hall, which is still the administrative centre of regional government and houses many treasures of medieval and renaissance art including two works by Piero della Francesca, commissioned for churches in Perugia. There will be plenty of time for exploring this city at your leisure before returning to Citta di Castello late afternoon.

DAY SEVEN

Gubbio

Today is at leisure in Citta di Castello or for those who wish you can join the optional excursion to Gubbio. Gubbio is a medieval town which is said to be the place where St Francis tamed the wolf which was terrorising the town. For those who wish you can spend the day in the town, alternatively you can join the optional walk into the Umbrian hills surrounding Gubbio. We return to Citta di Castello in the late afternoon.

DAY EIGHT

Citta di Castello - Perugia - London

After breakfast we transfer to Bologna for the return flight to London.

8 days

Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £120 per person on booking (plus the insurance premium if the cover we offer is required). Final payment due two months before the departure date.