Castello della Magione
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The Castello della Magione, Poggibonsi (Siena - Italy), or Magione di San Giovanni al Ponte, or also Spedale di San Giovanni in Jerusalem alla Magione, is considered the best extant example of a medieval "Mansio" (residence) that belonged to the Knights Templar. The Castello comprises the ancient church and the “spedale” for the pilgrims in transit to Rome on the Via Francigena. The complex rises near the ancient crossing of the Via Francigena over the River Staggia, by means of Bonizio's bridge, now destroyed.
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[edit] History
The Castello della Magione dates from the 11th century. On the 5th of September 1140, it was donated by Gottifredo di Arnolfo and Arnolfino di Cristofano, heirs of the founders, to the Monks of the Saint Michael Abbey in Poggio Marturi. The monks entrusted it to the Knights of the Temple, becoming, in this way, one of the numerous "Mansiones" or "Domus Templi" on the Via Francigena.
In 1312, the Order of the Templars was abolished by Pope Clement V and the Magione was given to the Knights Hospitaller.
The Castello, abased and reduced to a farm, was bought by several people, among whom were the Princes Corsini. Then in 1979, it was bought by Count Marcello Alberto Cristofani della Magione, who donated it to the Militia Templi, which was just being founded, as patrimony and as the Magistral See. After the donation, the difficult work of the restoration of the entire complex began.
The Castello maintains evident signs of its romanesque origins, in spite of some changes made during the ensuing centuries. Upon entering the inner court, at the sight of the big halls of the pilgrims' rooms and those of the Knights-Monks, everyone gets the feeling of a true revival in the heart of Middle Ages.
In Castello della Magione are also located the Scout Group "Valdelsa-Alberto d'Albertis", the “Academy St. John”, the publishing house “La Magione” and the Foundation “Jacques de Molay” for the charitable works of the Templars.
[edit] Church
The Magistral Church of San Giovanni in Jerusalem is particularly interesting. It is designed in a pure romanesque style. The restoration has given relief to the vaults of the burgundian-cistercian influence. The altar is in the most ancient form of the romanesque structures.
On 16 October 1982, H. E. Mgsr. Mario Ismaele Castellano O. P., Archbishop of Siena, blessed the church and on 19 September 1987, it was consecrated by H. E. Mgsr. Fernando Charier, Auxiliary Bishop and General Vicar of Siena.
[edit] The Monumental complex
The entire complex preserves nearly complete and unchanged the signs of its romanesque origin,in spite of its antiquity. Upon entering the inner courtyard of the ‘spedale’ the buildings of the entire complex can be admired from one viewpoint. Seen from above, the complex assumes a nearly trapezoidal shape, in that it follows, on the west side, the course of the River Staggia. In the courtyard, visitors will see the premises of the convent for the Knights, the small guest-rooms and the flight of steps for access to the upper floor.
[edit] The Militia Templi
The Militia Templi - Christi Pauperum Militum Ordo, which was established on 17 May 1979 and recognized “ex utroque iure”, is the owner of the Castello della Magione in which the Order has established the Magistral See. The Militia Templi is a religious community that follows the “Rule” (Regola) approved by the Archbishop of Siena, Mons. Gaetano Bonicelli. The Rule was drafted from the principles dictated by St. Bernard of Clairvaux for the ancient Order of the Temple and from their ancient Rule. The Militia Templi moreover takes care also of the education of the young people and promotes the formation of Scout groups in Italy and in another countries. It carries out intense cultural activities and research, charity and help to those in need. Inside of the castello visitors will find the Chancery, the Office of the Government, the Preceptory of the Magistral See, the Academy of Saint John (Institute of Studies and Research on the Templar Order and the other Military Orders), the Foundation “Jacques de Molay” for the Templar works of charity, the publishing house "The Magione", and the A.S.C.I. Scout Group Valdelsa "Alberto d' Albertis". The Militia Templi is currently present in Italy, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom and Ireland, Poland, Romania, Spain, United States of America, Puerto Rico, and Hungary.
[edit] The Gregorian-Latin liturgical tradition
Inside the Magistral Church of San Giovanni in Jerusalem, on all Sundays and other holy days of obligation, at 9:30 AM solemn Holy Mass is celebrated in the Tridentine Rite, the Mass of St. Pius V with Gregorian chant. During weekdays, at 7:40 PM, it is possible to assist at Vespers which are sung in Gregorian chant by the Knights.
The Supreme Pontiff through the rescripts of the Apostolic Penitentiary of the 13th of September 1989 and the 21st of November 1999, grants the Plenary Indulgence to all Roman Catholic faithful whotake part in a rite in the Magistral Church of Militia Templi or who visit devotedly this Church on the following days:
- Easter, feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 23rd of April (St. George the martyr),
- Second Sunday of May (Our Lady Queen of Militia),
- 17th of May (Our Lady Queen of Militia),
- 29th of June (Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles),
- 15th of August (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary),
- 19th of September (anniversary of the Dedication of the Magistral Church),
- 8th of December (Immaculate Conception),
- 25th of December (Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ),
- 27th of December (St. John the Apostle and Evangelist).
In order to get the Plenary Indulgence every day the participation in the rite or the visit to the Church must be made by a community (family, group of friends, association etc.). The conditions are the usual ones, as prescribed in the Enchyridion Indulgentiarum.
[edit] Hospitality
Inside the ‘Castello della Magione’ there is a small guest-room; this is for the reception of the pilgrims who will want to take part in the liturgy or to participate in the typical spirituality of the knights and for the visitors and tourists who will have the possibility to live again in an atmosphere of the full Middle Ages.
[edit] Curiosities
The ‘Castello della Magione’has been defined “the most complete medieval complex of a hospital remaining in western Europe. Its survival and its restoration are extremely important for the historians particularly historians of the art” (History Department of the Art of the University of Buffalo - USA).
The ‘Castello della Magione’ takes part in the (Associazione Italiana Dimore Stoiche" (Association Italian Historical Dwellings).
[edit] Literature
- A.A.V.V., Chiese Medievali della Valdelsa - I Territori della Via Francicena, Vol 2 Tra Siena e San Gimignano, Empoli : Edizioni dell'Acero, 1999.
- Luciano De Filla, Giorgio Merlini, Italo Moretti, La Chiesa di San Giovanni in Jerusalem alla Magione di Poggibonsi, Siena : Ente provinciale per il turismo, stampa 1986.
- Giuseppe Mantelli, La Magione casa templare sulla via Francigena : strade, pellegrini, monachesimo, cavalleria nel Medio Evo, Poggibonsi : La Magione dei Templari.
- I Templari, Mito e Storia - Atti del Convegno Internazionale di Studi alla Magione Templare di Poggibonsi - Siena, Raccolti da Giovanni Minucci e Franca sardi, Sinalunga - Siena: A.G. Viti Riccucci 1987.
[edit] See also
- Militia Templi
- Knights Templar
- List of places associated with the Knights Templar
- Via Francigena
- Poggibonsi
- Tridentine Mass
- Traditionalist Catholic
