Page 42 - Mediterraneo e dintorni - Maggio 2020

autorevolezza, autorità e
indipendenza e che ebbe parte
fondamentale nella lotta tra
Impero e Papato, dapprima
nel ruolo di mediatrice, poi di
sostenitrice del Papa: eclatante
l’episodio del rigido inverno
del 1077 che vide l’Imperatore
Enrico IV sostare per tre giorni
e tre notti fuori dal castello
della nobildonna prima di poter
essere ricevuto e perdonato dal
pontefice Gregorio VII.
Le terre dello stato feudale
che la Grancontessa governò
a cavallo tra XI e XII secolo
si estendevano da Brescia a
Viterbo, comprendendo città
importanti come Cremona,
Mantova, Ferrara, Reggio
Emilia, Modena, La Spezia,
Pisa, Lucca, Firenze, Arezzo,
Siena, Grosseto e Perugia. Una
dominazione protetta da un
poderoso sistema fortificato
e caratterizzato, oltre che da
tradizionali borghi in pietra e
da imponenti castelli, da
numerose pievi che ne

the Papacy, first as a mediator, then as of about 600 kilometers, keeping faith
a supporter of the Pope: the episode with its excellent and tested format
of the harsh winter of 1077 that saw limited to 100 cars in order to guarantee
Emperor Henry IV stop for three days the highest standards of hospitality.
and three nights outside the castle of the This is the only event in the sector to pay
noblewoman before being able to be close attention to the environment since
received and forgiven by Pope Gregory the organization voluntarily adopted
VII is striking. the CarbonZero protocol which requires
The lands of the feudal state that the adoption of all the measures useful
the Grancontessa ruled between for reducing the environmental impact,
the eleventh and twelfth centuries and calculates the climate-altering
extended from Brescia to Viterbo, residual gas emissions which are
including important cities such as subsequently reset by the planting of
Cremona, Mantua, Ferrara, Reggio trees in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
Emilia, Modena, La Spezia, Pisa, Lucca, The race includes time trial and average
Florence, Arezzo, Siena, Grosseto and tests, with a special classification
Perugia. A domination protected dedicated to pre-war cars, the
by a powerful fortified system and “Pre-War Cup”. Three intense days
characterized, as well as by traditional lived in a perfect blend of splendid
stone villages and imposing castles, cars, correct sporting competition,
by numerous parishes that represent tourism, good drinking and good
its religious dimension but also of food, relaxation, sociability. Truly a
assistance to the population. great event nestled harmoniously
This territory therefore tells of a Middle on its landscape. The places crossed
Ages to which it is linked by glorious range from the mountains to the sea of
roots. And the middle age is the theme Versilia, passing through villages, castles
chosen by the organizers of the Grand and cities of art, but also with a pleasant
Prix for the 2020 event, which should landscape variability that allows you
have been held from 16 to 19 April but to admire Apuan Alps, Garfagnana,
which - due to the well-known health Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park,
emergency - was postponed to next known as “Parco del Gigante”, passes
October. The race takes place on a route and lakes.

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