A Welcoming Gate, not a Warning Barrier

Leonessa, a medieval borgo of 2500 people. Madonna makes an appearance nearly everywhere in this increasingly agnostic country. She graces the entrance gate to town accompanied by two lionesses. On the opposite side of the gate are another two lionesses spouting water from their fountain selves. The gate opens onto the main street which leads to the piazza with a fountain, town clock and the church of St. Joseph, the town’s patron saint. Appropriate as Joseph (Jesus’ dad) was a carpenter and this town has at least a dozen woodworkers that we came across. On either side of the main street are smaller winding ones. The whole town is crammed up against the mountain visible behind the tower.