A center known for centuries to all pilgrims who travel the Via Francigena, it is a small town curiously famous for its bread: it is, in fact, renowned as the city of bread... #tuttitaly
A town of medieval origin, Altopascio stands out for its mills and ovens, which give life to a vast and appreciated bread production. The small town is, in fact, renowned as the city of bread.
Starting from the 11th century, the center developed around a hospital run by an order of knightly friars known as the Knights of the Tau.
The hospital rapidly acquired great importance thanks to its position along the Via Francigena; the same fate befell the order of the Knights of the Tau.
While the knights dissolved in 1459 at the hands of Pope Pius II, the hospital remained active until 1780.
What to see
The first fortification of the city should date back to the period of the hospital's foundation. And even today, we can see traces of the defensive structures built during the Middle Ages. In particular, some sections of the medieval walls of the village, some towers such as that of the Voltola, and some of the doors that opened into the walls:
Porta dei Vettori, Porta Mariani, Porta degli Ospedalieri and Porta della Torre Campanaria (no longer existing).
The small Piazza Ospitalieri, embellished by the presence of an ancient octagonal well, houses some historic buildings: the cloister of the old hospital transformed into a loggia in the sixteenth century; the Medici farm; the Piaggione building, where we find the municipal library and the Historical Collection of the earthly life of the Antico Altopascio.
The principal place of worship in Altopascio is the Church of San Jacopo, built in Romanesque style during the 12th century and rebuilt in the 19th century. During the works, the medieval facade of the church was preserved with its portal, the decorations with arches, and the marble cladding with white and green bands, which covered the highest part of the masonry.
Next to it, we can admire the majestic Bell Tower, built
around 1280. The ancient symbol of the Knights of the Tau is still carved on a stone on the external wall.
On the table
Do not miss the matuffi - polenta gnocchi with corn flour (maize) as a base.
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