ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 
from this point a rough path cut in the rock leads to 
the convent gates. 
The story of the foundation of the sanctuary in 
this secluded and inaccessible region can only be 
briefly told here, but is given in all its picturesque 
details by the Saint’s biographers. 
When Francis was passing by the castle of Monte- 
feltro on one of his journeys his attention was 
attracted by the sound of music and festivities pro¬ 
ceeding from its walls. Hearing that these rejoicings 
were kept to celebrate the investiture of a member 
of the family with knighthood, he entered the court 
of the castle, and preached to the assembled guests 
with such fervour, that the whole company listened 
entranced at his eloquence. Among the guests was 
a certain Orlando, Count of Chiusi, or Clusentinum, 
a citadel in the neighbourhood of Monte Alvernia, 
whence the name of Casentino is derived. This 
wealthy Tuscan noble desired to converse with 
Francis, and deeply moved by his zeal and devotion, 
offered him a wild and barren mountain which he 
owned in Tuscany as especially fitted by its seclusion 
for a place of retreat and contemplation. 
Francis accepted the gift gratefully, and finding 
the lonely heights of La Vernia “ devout and apt for 
prayer,” spent many weeks in a rude hut, which 
Orlando, who had climbed the hill to welcome him 
262 
