Yesterday, 4 August 2020, I led the esoteric tour of the city of Viterbo, which set off at 6pm from Piazza San Lorenzo, the square of the Cathedral and the Papal Palace.
Inside the Diocesan Museum I introduced the 22 “Arcana of FAUL”, inspired by the characters and events that wrote the most memorable pages of the city’s history. In front of the Papal Palace I introduced Arcana No. V, Pope Alexander IV who, mystery within mystery, is the only pope in the history of the Church whose body was never found. In the same square, Arcana No. I, the Magician, which I have linked to the alchemist pope John XXI, who died when the ceiling of the Papal Palace collapsed and who is buried in the same cathedral, invites us to discover all the other arcana.
The tour ended at the enchanting Torre di Vico, in Via San Lorenzo, where on the splendid terrace we admired the boundlessness of a horizon sealed by the colours of the sunset, over a good glass of wine accompanied by local specialities.
The skilful hands of Giulia, the tower’s owner, managed to turn a simple gathering into a magical moment, just as was the spirit of the tour, with the same strength as Arcana XI, Strength, represented by Giulia Farnese.
I want to stress how exciting it was to meet the illustrated characters, who, through the attentive eyes of the participants, came back to life in a story where I gave voice to their tales.
The protagonists, the emotions, the truths and the false truths intertwined, and all of us felt at times like protagonists, spectators, emperors or empresses in a distant world that suddenly became our own.
I thank the participants who made it possible to give strength to dormant emotions that, without them, would never have been kindled.
Next meeting: Tuesday, 11 August.
For info: 320.0112384 or click here
I’ll always be at Via San Pellegrino, 27, in my enchanted corner, telling the story of our medieval world through images…
