Impruneta, Madonna dell' (Real)

An image of the Virgin of extreme sanctity which is brought from the Church of l'Impruneta outside Florence and carried in solemn procession through the city to break the famine of 1496. "For a century and a half there were records how the Florentinces, suffering from drought, or flood, or famine, or pestilence, or the threat of wars, had fetched the potent image within their walls, and had found deliverance. And grateful honour had been done to her and her ancient church of L'Impruneta. . . The Florentines were deeply convinced of her graciousness to them, so that the sight of her tabernacle within their walls was like the parting of the cloud, and the proverb ran, that the Florentines had a Madonna who would do what they pleased." A famous wonder-worker image which was found buried at Impruneta and was said to have uttered a cry when the workman's spade struck it. It was probably made by a Luca, of the eleventh century, though legend attributed it to St. Luke.

<em>Romola</em>

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