Niccolò da Poggibonsi and the “Magical” Bread of Bethlehem

A 14th-century Franciscan friar, Niccolò da Poggibonsi, documented a unique Bethlehem tradition where bread made with water from the Church of the Nativity's well was believed to possess 'magical' properties, particularly for pregnant women. Analysis of his account in Libro d’Oltramare reveals how this ritual symbolically connected cosmic forces through bread and water, offering insights into medieval spiritual practices tied to sacred sites.

Maraschi, A., & Tasca, F. (2025). Niccolò da Poggibonsi and the “Magical” Bread of Bethlehem. Food, Heresies, and Magical Boundaries in the Middle Ages, 221–240. https://doi.org/10.5117/9789463727969_ch08