Part III. Italy
Chapter 48. Mount Morello [March 17, 1348]
Cultural Explanations
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Part III. Italy Chapter 48. Mount Morello [March 17, 1348] Cultural Explanations |
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In this chapter Bávlos and Buonamico spend time on Mount Morello. |
| Mount Morello |
In this chapter, Bávlos and Buonamico head to Mount Morello.
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| Even today, Mount Morello remains sparsely settled. At the bottom of this photo runs the River Arno, with the city of Sesto Fiorentino alongside, six Roman miles from Florence. | Detailed satellite image of Mount Morello. |
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| Approaching Mount Morello from the Arno plain. Note communications tower on top. | Another view of the mountain. |
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| The steep terrain and numerous natural springs make for spectacular waterfalls. | The abundant fresh water of the mountain flows downward to the agricultural and urban plain surrounding the mountain. |
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| Guard towers dating from the Roman era served to guard Florence from attack throughout the medieval period. | Wild boar still lives plentifully on the mountain, as do various species of deer and other wildlife. |
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| Ancient wall and olive grove, Mount Morello | Olive harvest. |
Mount Morello is said to be the actual location on which Boccaccio's Decameron takes place. Today it remains a surprisingly rural place, in close proximity to Florence. Given that Florence in the fourteenth century was one of the world's largest cities, the relative paucity of settlement on the mountain is impressive indeed.