A full-immersion experience of life at the time of Charlemagne is on the way to completion at Poggibonsi, near Siena (Tuscany). Since it opened in 2014, the Archeodromo village has become one of the main attractions in the Fortezza Medicea (Medici Fortress) Park, reconstructing the typical way of life in the 9th - 10th century AD.
The project began in 2000 after archaeologists uncovered the remains of the town of Podium Bonitii on the slopes of the nearby Poggio Imperiale hill.
The project is a first for Italy, attracting 25,000 visitors last year. To date, the recreated medieval village contains a spacious 140 sqm longhouse with adjoining orchard, a forge and an area dedicated to traditional craft-workers, such as the carpenter, the baker, the tanner and so on. Inside the houses, women can be observed working at the spinning wheel and the loom. On certain days, the Emperor Charlemagne may even take a break from the war and drop in to greet visitors in suitable stately fashion.
Future expansion plans include the addition of other houses, a butcher's shop, a grain store, a pottery kiln and farm animals.
Info: www.museisenesi.org www.archeodromopoggibonsi.it
