This path, that residents of Monticiano use every year for Sbraccettata daytaking place on the first Tuesday after Easter, can be an easy walk thanks to the numerous indication placed along the way, therefore, we believe that it would be much more interesting to give a report about the course of the feast it self leaving to the visitor the opportunity to enjoy and relive it along the way. The “Sbracettata” is a pilgrimage that leads from the village through the woods up to the hermitage of Camerata following the itinerary covered by Beato Antonio, according to an old tradition, when he went for a visit to Beato Pietro at that time living as a hermit in the monastery of Camerata. The feast could also be seen as a commemoration of pagan rites of fertility and the arrival of spring; in fact, people of Monticiano, besides paying homage to their beloved patron Saint, joining in a perfect harmony with the forest, an immense beauty and richness, one day being the main source of sustenance. Early in the morning the faithful guided by their parish priest and brethren start walking towards Camerata; they pause for a prayer by the Cross rock, with a fine view over Monticiano, from where Beato Antonio would have blessed the village and that now holds a large cross built in 1948 as a memorial. Then, as they reach the Hermitage, the Holy Mass celebrate. After that they light fires and a rich meal is prepared with grilled sausages and bruschetta. That isn’t just a religious demonstration but an opportunity to meet together again and, for those that now live far away from Monticiano this is also the chance for them to return, to strengthen the bounds with their native land. The Parish, brethren and some special guest meet together in the refectory annex to the church. After the banquet, they all return to the village and with reassembled groups a procession is formed in Sbraccettata, long ago that was almost the only opportunity of familiarity for local boys and girls. The procession ends the parish church as they sing the hymn to Beato Antonio with a blessing.

The hermitage of San Pietro a Rondinaia built on the hill of Camerata was one of the first tuscan hermitages submitted to the new rule code of the hermit friars of Sant’Agostino, that was established in 1243. It soon became a site of local devotion, so much as to be included, since 1274, among the other hermitages subsidized by the Comune of Siena. As a new monastery was built in Monticiano, the old hermitage became progressively neglected and it went to ruin. Probably it was rebuilt two centuries later, and a subsequent documented restoration was carried out in 1613 by Father G.B. Siciliano. At the present time, the Hermitage consists on only the Church, which maintains on its front the original hanging, and a small building on the back, where there are remains of walls cropping up all around to testify how it would originally have been wider and articulated.  

Martedì di Pasqua a Monticiano