D’Azeglio’s epigraph

D’Azeglio’s epigraph

In the 1830s the question arose of preserving the historical memory of Ferrucci and of the battle of Gavinana: it was Massimo Taparelli d’Azeglio – during a brief stay in the mountains around Pistoia – who promoted and financed the first tribute to Ferrucci, the gravestone still visible on the side facade of the Pieve of Santa Maria Assunta; this was only the first in a long set of epigraphs placed in later years in placed connected to the battle and its protagonists.

The marble tombstone, made in 1840, includes a short inscription chosen by the author:

“HERE / IN THE FIGHT FOR THE COUNTRY / DIED FRANCESCO FERRUCCI / O THE 3rd OF AUGUST 1530 // M. A.P. 1840”

There are three emblems above this writing; starting from the left they are: the war flag of the Florentine Republic, the coat of arms of the Ferrucci family, and the Florentine lily.