Church of Santa Margherita

Above Cortona at the top of its hill lies the church of Santa Margherita. It was built upon the site of a small 11^th century church originally constructed by the Camaldolesi monks and dedicated to San Basilio. It was damaged during the sack of Cortona in 1258 and reconstructed in 1288. Santa Margherita died in 1297 at the back of this little church where she had lived the last years of her life. After her death, the little church was rebuilt in her honour and this was the result. Her body is preserved here in a silver casket.

Santa Margherita had a remarkable life. She was born of farming parents, in Laviano, a tiny village. At the age of seven, Margaret's mother died and her father remarried. Little love was shared between stepmother and stepdaughter and she had a hard time of it. As she grew older she became rebellious, wilful and reckless. At the age of 17 she met a young man--according to some accounts, the son of Gugliemo di Pecora, lord of Valiano--and she ran away with him. Soon Margaret found herself installed in the castle, not as his wife, for that would never be allowed since she came of farming stock, but as his mistress. For ten years she lived with him and bore him a son. Some day, he had promised her, they would be married, but that never happened.

One sad day her lover's favourite hound returned alone from a journey. Eventually it led Margaret into the forest to his murdered body. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of prayer and penance. She returned to his family all the gifts he had given her and left his home. With her child, she returned to her father's house but her stepmother cast her out. Margaret and her son then went to the Franciscan friars at Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar. In 1277, after three years of probation, Saint Margaret joined the Third Order of Saint Francis. She chose to live in poverty and devoted her life to helping the sick, single mothers, homeless and impoverished. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on 16 May 1728.

Note the glow of the relic. This was only seen in the photographs. This phenomenon was remarked on by others in the group as well. It is true. Uncanny.

Santa Margherita is the patron saint of unwed mothers; homeless; insane; orphaned; mentally ill; midwives; penitents; single mothers; reformed prostitutes; stepchildren; tramps.

The square in front of the church enjoys a spectacular view of the Tuscan landscape. Here we enjoyed a bit of wine. 

Life is good.