Category: Legends, Myths & Fables

01/31/17

St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio

St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio Wood Carving on the door of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi Italy illustrating the story. Photo is from our Cortona Center of Photography Italy workshop

Carved wooden door panel of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy
that powerfully illustrates the story of St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio

 

An Umbrian legend is told of a very large wolf that was terrorizing the citizens of Gubbio. Not only were the live stock being eaten, but also the people’s children were being taken, and when the locals tried to retaliate, they were no match for the terrible fangs of the ferocious beast. At their wits’ end, they went to ask St. Francis what could be done.

 

St. Francis went into the forest where the creature was known to prowl, much to the apprehension of the townspeople who scattered when they heard a loud growling, but when the giant wolf appeared St. Francis showed no fear and asked him to come close and began to talk quietly to him. Amazingly the wolf bowed his head and lay down at Francis’s feet and listened attentively as the saint spoke. He said, “Brother Wolf, you have no need to attack and kill the good people of Gubbio, and if you truly repent to God, I will speak to them on your behalf.”

 

The wolf agreeingly walked side by side with Francis into the center of the town as everyone gathered to witness the miracle. Francis explained the peace bargain and instructed the townspeople to feed their new friend and the wolf put his large paw into Francis’s hand to seal the bargain. The wolf was well cared for and visited each home in turn to enjoy their hospitality. He became a local celebrity and a beloved mascot of the town and when he died, he was mourned deeply by his human friends and given a traditional burial with honor.

 

The Church of St. Francesco della Pace (The Church of St. Francis of Peace) was later built over this burial site and the cave where the Gubbio Wolf was said to have once lived. In the church’s renovations of 1872, an excavation under a stone slab revealed a skeleton of a remarkably large wolf. The people of Gubbio again honored the remains with a burial under the church altar where they rest in peace today.    – Robin Davis

 

Click for more info about the Cortona Center of Photography, Italy Photo Workshops

 

 

St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio – Photo and text © Robin Davis

 

10/13/15

Spirits of Macon GA

During our last spooky photoshoot with The Third Eye Photo Adventures and Workshops, we were visited by 6 local spirits among the gravestones of Riverside Cemetery… the apparitions of some of Macon’s most notable and notorious spirits were roaming the grounds as twilight approached and we were fortunate to capture some images and hear their tales.

Riverside Cemetery Reenactor portrays Anjette Lyles, Macon GA

Anjette Lyles, played by actress Angelia Hoomes, was a well known Macon restauranteur and notorious poisoner rumored to practice voodoo, but everyone ate her fried chicken anyway because it was so good! Although convicted for the fatal poisoning of 4 family members for their insurance money and sentenced for execution, it was not a proper fate for Southern ladies of the 1950’s, so she was deemed to be insane and institutionalized in Milledgeville’s Central State Hospital… where she worked as the cook.

Chester Burge played by Phil Comer at Riverside Cemetery Macon Georgia

Accused murderer Chester Burge, was believed to be behind his wife’s strangulation, even though he was recovering in the hospital at the time. Although wealthy and descended from an elite family, he was reviled by society for his shady business dealings and depraved personal life. Chester’s twisted story is brought vividly back to life by actor Phil Comer, who will also be appearing in an upcoming film as a commentator about this bizarre tale.

Here are more images from the 2015 Spring Spirit Stroll at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Georgia:

Nun in Cemetery Macon Georgia

Sister Mary Edward, nun and principal of Catholic Schools in Macon, appears by the Sisters of Mercy Cross.

Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, GA

The young Ella Lee DeHaven, reads love letters from her future Yankee husband whom she met as he marched through Georgia with Sherman. He later came back to live in Macon, where they were married.

Reenactors at Riverside Cemetery Macon, GA

Anne Royall, a journalist from Washington DC visited Macon in the 1830s where she met and interviewed Solomon Humphries, also known as “Free Sol,” a former slave who became a prosperous local businessman.

Special thanks to these reenactors who made pages from Macon’s history come vividly to life for us!

All photos and text ©2015 Robin Davis

01/2/15
Robin Davis Photography, Cortona Center of Photography, italy photo workshop tuscany photography olive grove trees

Athena and the Olive Tree

A great myth about Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, tells how she became the patron goddess of the city of Athens.

She and her uncle, Poseidon were at war for the title and on the eve of battle, Athena suggested a contest instead,
to see who could provide the best divine gift for the people.

Poseidon produced a gushing spring, but as his domain ruled over the seas, the water was salty and undrinkable. Athena struck the ground with her spear and dramatically, a fully grown olive tree sprang up, to the delight of the citizens. This hearty tree could be easily cultivated, lived a long time and provided food as the olive fruit,
oil for cooking as well as for the lighting of lamps, and beautiful wood for building.

Robin Davis Photography, Cortona Center of Photography, italy photo workshop tuscany photography olive grove trees

The King declared her the winner, by the people’s choice and the city became hers and was named Athens in her honor, and the olive tree became one of her symbols. Tree groves have always been sacredly associated with goddesses, and considered under their protection.

(Poseidon, a sore loser, plagued the city with water issues that are still problematic to this day.)

 

Photo: Olive Grove

text and photography ©2014 Robin Davis