Talking Location With … Barbara Boyle – PIEDMONT
Talking Location With author Tony Lee Moral: ROME / FLORENCE / PORTOFINO
23rd October 2024
#TalkingLocationWith …. Tony Lee Moral, author of The Passion of the Cross
#bookstaging – the author with his novel overlooking Rome
In Search of the Sacred: A Journey Through Italy in The Passion of the Cross by Tony Lee Moral
Italy has long enchanted travellers with its blend of art, history, and breath-taking landscapes, offering an unparalleled backdrop for both epic tales and spiritual quests. In my new novel, The Passion of the Cross, these elements converge in a thrilling adventure set against the timeless beauty of Rome, Florence, and Portofino. Each location serves not just as a backdrop but as a vital element in the characters’ hunt for the most sacred of Christian relics: the True Cross of Jesus Christ.
Rome: The Eternal City and the Heart of the Mystery
Few cities in the world resonate with the spiritual and historical significance of Rome. Its cobbled streets whisper tales of saints, sinners, and centuries-old secrets. When I chose Rome as one of the primary settings for The Passion of the Cross, I wanted to immerse readers in the energy of a city where the sacred and the mundane coexist seamlessly, much like the relics hidden within its layers of history. The quest begins in the opulent gardens of Villa Borghese, a serene space where art and nature meet, and where my characters first uncover clues leading them to their destination. With its sculptures by Bernini and breath-taking views over the city, the Borghese is a tranquil place to visit and mirrors the beauty and the danger that lie at the heart of the story.
Later the novel ventures to the iconic Trevi Fountain. While thousands of tourists throw coins into its sparkling waters each day, and was made famous in La Dolce Vita, in The Passion of the Cross, the fountain also becomes the setting for a murder, turning a familiar landmark into a site of peril and discovery. The characters retreat to the Via Margutta, a narrow street famous for its galleries and art studios. It’s here, among the works of contemporary artists, that my characters make a decision which spurs them to their next location.
Florence: The Renaissance City and the Path of Revelation
Leaving behind the vibrant chaos of Rome, the journey continues in Florence, a city where the spirit of the Renaissance still lingers in every stone. Florence, with its museums, cathedrals, and narrow streets, is more than just a location in my novel; it is a city of revelation. Here, the quest for the True Cross grows more intense as my characters Catriona, Mario and Freddie grapple with questions of faith, betrayal, and destiny. The Ponte Vecchio stands at the centre of this chapter of the story. Known for its goldsmith shops and medieval charm, the bridge also represents a crossing from the mundane to the sacred. In The Passion of the Cross, the characters discover an important clue which ties in the history of Renaissance Florence. For travellers, the Ponte Vecchio symbolizes Florence’s dual nature: a place of commerce and culture, where the past continues to shape the present.
No visit to Florence is complete without marvelling at Giotto’s Bell Tower, which dominates the skyline of this Renaissance city. In the novel, it’s more than a beautiful structure; it’s a symbol of ascension. Climbing the 414 steps to the top becomes a metaphor for the characters’ own journey, where the view from the summit offers not only a stunning panorama of Florence but also an attempted murder.
One of the hidden gems of Florence that plays a key role in The Passion of the Cross is the Sala Bianca in the Pitti Palace which is worth a visit. This dazzling, white ballroom, known for hosting haute couture fashion shows, becomes a place of reflection and intrigue in the novel. Its grand chandeliers and ornate ceilings serve as a backdrop for masquerade and evasion. For travellers, the Sala Bianca offers a glimpse into Florence’s regal past, but in my novel, it becomes a crucial turning point in the narrative.
Portofino: The Coastal Haven and the Final Confrontation
As the search for the True Cross reaches its crescendo, the novel shifts to the Italian Riviera, specifically the coastal town of Portofino. While Rome and Florence are bustling cities of art and faith, Portofino offers a different kind of beauty—one that is quieter, more serene, yet filled with its own mystery. The harbour of Portofino, with its pastel-coloured houses reflecting in the turquoise waters, seems at first like an idyllic resting place for the characters, but it quickly becomes a place of high stakes.
An integral location in the climax of The Passion of the Cross is the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, nestled between Portofino and Camogli. Accessible only by boat or on foot, the abbey’s isolation and stunning views over the Ligurian Sea is another hidden gem worth visiting. In my novel, the abbey’s quiet, monastic atmosphere creates a stark contrast to the escalating tension of the story. For travellers, San Fruttuoso offers a retreat from the modern world, but for my characters, it is where the truth about the True Cross is ultimately uncovered.
The novel’s final scenes unfold along the Liguria coastline, stretching toward Genoa. This dramatic setting, with cliffs plunging into the sea and winding paths that trace the rugged shore, becomes a battleground where everything is at stake..
In writing The Passion of the Cross, I chose these locations not only for their beauty and cultural significance but also for their unique ability to mirror the spiritual journey of the characters. Rome, with its ancient churches and hidden symbols, represents the beginning of faith; Florence, the city of art and enlightenment, represents the deepening of that faith through knowledge and experience; and Portofino and Liguria, with their rugged coastline and spiritual havens, represent the culmination of that faith in the face of ultimate sacrifice. Whether you are exploring the ruins of ancient Rome, marvelling at the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence, or basking in the sun along the Ligurian coast, the spirit of the True Cross—and the quest for meaning that it represents—lives on in the heart of Italy.
Tony Lee Moral
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