Alessano, the birthplace of Don Tonino

Alessano is located in Salento, 3 miles far from the Ionian sea.

In the middle age, monks from the Orient took refuge in Macurano, close to Alessano.

They were escaping from the bloodshed caused by the Iconoclasm. 

They lived on there peacefully, growing crops.  

Alessano is a quite village, where you can find around nice buildings and churches.

The streets are filled with flowers.

I breath air of spirituality in Alessano.

Probably, it is due to the fact that this is the birthplace of Don Tonino Bello.

According to the movie The Godfather, Don is the evil character personified by Marlon Brando.

However, concerning Don Tonino, I talk about a human being comparable to Gandhi.

During the war in the former Jugoslavia, Don Tonino with few hundreds people went straight to Sarajevo.

The Bosnian capital was at the time surrounded by snipers and Serbian soldiers.

However, like a new St. Francesco, Don Tonino brought there a message of peace and nonviolence.

Don Tonino, bishop of Molfetta, was the one who drove around the city at night time, taking on board drug addicted and alcoholics. 

He drove them to his house and let them sleep in his bed.

I dedicate this post to Don Tonino, to his message of love, peace and nonviolence.

If you wish to view more pics, please click here