Anagni (pronounced: very cool place to be)

As promised!

Anagni Expedition, Part II of II.

After we came up from the amazing crypt one of the church caretakers walked us through the small museum of the cathedral. Amazingly to me this cathedral had had a historic connection to England, particularly right after the death of St. Thomas Becket. So a number of his relics were found here.












Including his miter.



It's tough to make out, but two bishops are represented on the front. The one on the right is Nicholas, but I can't make out the text for the bishop on the left . . .












You can see the crosier he's holding.


In the 1300's England sent a cope to the cathedral of Anagni because of the attachment to Becket--still in beautiful condition, it depicts scenes from the life of Mary:















The Apostle's gathering at the end of Mary's life.




A little more worn from being touched by pilgrims:














Mary's Assumption into Heaven.




And finally, Mary's coronation:















Notice the angel ducking from the clouds to put the crown on her head . . .



It's so rare for fabrics to last for so many centuries, so to find a beautiful vestment from England in this quiet corner of Italy was a real surprise!

Among the many other treasures was this breviary: used to pray morning and evening prayers, it is open here to the first prayers of the day, and shows the creation of Eve opposite the Annunciation--a fascinating contraposition.













Following the cathedral we had an outstanding lunch at a small local eatery. We walked the town, which situated on a hilltop, has some splendid vistas.












A stalwart crew.


Being under an hour from Rome, it was a great weekend getaway!





















A final look at the cathedral.