Castello della Magione facts for kids
The Castello della Magione (also known as Magione di San Giovanni al Ponte or Spedale di San Giovanni in Gerusalemme alla Magione) is a very old castle located in Poggibonsi, a town in central Italy. It is a great example of a medieval "Mansio," which was a special kind of residence. This castle once belonged to the famous Knights Templar.
The castle complex includes an ancient church and a "spedale," which was like a guesthouse for travelers. These travelers were often pilgrims on their way to Rome, using a famous old road called the Via Francigena. The castle is found near where the Via Francigena crossed the Staggia River, close to an old bridge called Bonizio, which is now gone.
History of the Castle
The Castello della Magione is very old, dating back to the 11th century. On September 5, 1140, some people named Gottifredo di Arnolfo and Arnolfino di Cristofano, who were heirs of the castle's founders, gave it away. They donated it to the Monks of the Saint Michael Abbey in Poggio Marturi.
The monks then decided to let the Knights Templar take care of the castle. This made the Magione one of many "Mansiones" or "Domus Templi" (Templar Houses) along the important Via Francigena road. These places offered rest and safety to the Knights and travelers.
In 1312, the Order of the Templars was stopped by Pope Clement V. After this, the Magione was given to another group of knights, the Knights Hospitaller.
Over time, the castle was no longer used as a knight's residence. It became a farm and was bought by different people, including the Corsini Princes. In 1979, a man named Count Marcello Alberto Cristofani della Magione bought it. He then gave it to the Militia Templi, a group that was just starting. The castle became their main headquarters. After this gift, a big project began to fix up and restore the entire castle complex.
Even though some changes were made over the centuries, the castle still shows many signs of its original Romanesque style.
What the Castle Looks Like
If you look at the castle from above, it has a shape that is almost like a trapezoid. This is because one side of the castle follows the path of the Staggia River.
Inside the castle's courtyard, you can see the buildings where the Knights lived. There are also small guest rooms for visitors. A set of steps leads up to the upper floor of the complex.
The main church of the castle is called San Giovanni in Jerusalem. It is built in a pure Romanesque style, which you can clearly see from the altar. When the castle was restored, experts found that the way the church's ceiling (or vault) was built showed influences from a style called Burgundian-Cistercian.
See also
- Militia Templi
- Tridentine Mass
- Traditionalist Catholic
