The Chapel of the Madonna della Tosse, located in the valley below Castelnuovo d’Elsa, which originally housed the fresco of the same name by Benozzo Gozzoli, is opening its doors for a special event.
It does so with an evening entirely dedicated to the poetry of Massimiliano Bardotti, winner of the 2025 Montale Prize with his latest collection “Let us be content with the joy of singing”.
“Living poetically in the world” is the title of the initiative scheduled for Friday 21st November (5.30 pm), which will see the poet from Castello illuminate the small chapel located along Via Sanminiatese, restored a few years ago, with his evocative verses. It was here that the famous Florentine painter (the “genius loci” of Valdelsa, according to Paolucci’s apt definition) created one of his masterpieces.
Promoted by the Vallesiana Municipal Library as part of Fuori luogo, a series of travelling storytelling events that this year focus on the open countryside, the initiative is open to all (free admission) and will allow participants to discover one of the small “jewels” of the recently restored historical and artistic heritage, as well as appreciate the verses of one of Castelfiorentino’s poets who stood out for his religious and spiritual sensitivity.
“Poetry”, observed Massimiliano Bardotti, “is not only a literary discipline, but a way of being in the world, a way of looking, observing, a way of living! Through the reading of wonderful verses, we will take a journey to discover how beauty can transform our lives”.
“Fuori luogo” – emphasises the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina – “is our project included in “Leggere Fuori”, an initiative promoted by Reanet, the network of libraries along the Elsa and Arno rivers, and takes the form of a series of actions aimed at reclaiming the places that define the identity of Castiglione della Pescaia’s culture. This has given rise to a desire to rediscover and raise awareness of the Chapel of Madonna della Tosse, in an evening enlivened by the verses of our own Massimiliano Bardotti, a Castilian luminary who has received a particularly prestigious award this year”.
