An abbey on the mountain peak

On the border between the municipalities of Greve and Figline, along a steep and winding track mid some lovely wooded areas, you reach the top of Monte Scalari. This is where the ageold monastery stands named after Saint Cassian, the patron saint of teachers and writers, whose feast day falls in 13th August. Built around 1040 by the Buondelmonti monks, the building belongs to the seven abbeys of the Vallombrosan Order founded by Saint John Gualbert. The small, stone oratory originally acted as a place for refreshment to the pilgrims travelling along the nearby Via Cassia. The considerable donations made by noble families later turned it into a veritable monastery and permitted the monks to establish hospices, living their help to the poor. Having become famous for the bell made by Andrea del Verrocchio, which is regarded as being the most valuable object in the monastery, in later centuries, the abbey underwent numerous extension and renovation works until Peter Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany, ordered its demolition in 1775. The years spent restoring the church proved to be fruitless, as too was the hard work of the friars in looking after the surrounding lands, which have been completely destroyed. The assets – including the valuable bell - were sold, as well as the monastery, and there was soon nothing left.
Today, we can admire it once more in all its beauty, with a few remains of its artistic heritage, including Saint John Gualbert's incense burner, a part of the crucifix attributed to Bernardo di Stefano Rosselli, and other paintings like the Samaritan at the Well and an Ecce Homo by Nicodemo Ferrucci. Its renaissance dates back to 1787, when Montescalari was promoted to a parish and subjected once more to renovation work – albeit keeping the title of San Cassiano – and for many years remaining the property of the Rosselli del Turco family. Showing off the loveliness of the place, the abbey and surrounding forests acted as the fascinating backdrop of the investigations of Commissioner Bordelli, the protagonist of the novel, Morte a Firenze, by Marco Vichi.

(Portions of this article first appeared in "Toscana & Chianti News")

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Special offer Villa Minghetti - September 2011

Villa Minghetti at only € 1.500 per week (instead of € 2.000) from 3rd to 17th September!
In the heart of Tuscany, on the Montalbano's hills, Villa Minghetti makes you experience the atmosphere of old times. Splendid 17th century country house dominating the village of Lamporecchio, Villa Minghetti is surrounded by centuries-old olive groves. Thanks to the recent and careful restoration, personally carried out by the owner, the villa is free on three sides and is composed of spacious living room, kitchen with fireplace, bathroom and laundry room on the ground floor. The living room has direct access to the garden where the swimming pool is located. The first floor consists of six bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. From the bedrooms, well furnished with antiques, you can enjoy a stunning view over the valley.

Villa Minghetti is an ideal starting point for horse riding, hiking and biking excursions. For those who love art and culture, it is easy to explore the delightful countryside of Tuscany, rich in ancient towns like Vinci, Cerreto Guidi, San Miniato, or the most famous cities such as Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca.

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A Dantesque Castle

Standing high on the summit of Mount Ala, Monteriggioni Castle dominates the Sienese territory proudly and boldly, like a sentry guarding the ancient republic. With its elliptically-shaped boundary wall and its 15 towers, witnesses of a distant age, the fortress still preserves its link with history and the peasant culture, as if time had stopped still.
The castle was built by the Sienese between 1213 and 1219 following an order of the podestà Guelfo da Porcari, who wanted to acquire a strategic position to gain control over the Via Cassia and the Elsa and Staggia valleys in the direction of Florence.
The object of contention between the Sienese and the Florentines during the endless battles between the two cities ever since its construction, Monteriggioni remained long unconquered; the reason for this is that the carbonaie (coal-filled ditches), dug along the boundary wall and burnt during the enemy attacks, made the fortress an impenetrable defensive bastion.
The castle’s imposing and majestic nature did not escape the keen eye of Dante Alighieri, who used it to convey the enormous size of the three giants Nembrotto, Fialte and Anteo, chained in the eighth circle of the malebolge, where those guilty of fraud were condemned, in Canto XXXI of the Inferno. The poet mistakes the three giants for the towers of a fortified city in the line, “for just as on the encircling wall Montereggioni is crowned by towers, so upon the rim which encircles the well”. The comparison between the giants and the ramparts of the Monteriggioni boundary wall is all too clear. However, this is not the only reference to the castle in Dante’s Divine Comedy. In Canto XIII of Purgatory, in fact, he mentions it as he speaks of the battle of Colle di Val d'Elsa (1269), during which the Sienese, defeated, took refuge in the fortress, besieged but once again unconquered by their Florentine enemies. Sapia Salvani, the aunt of the Sienese general, voices her regret at having prayed for the defeat of her fellow citizens with the words: “my fellow citizens near unto Colle were joined in battle with their adversaries, and I was praying to God for what he willed”. The Florentine troops’ attempts at invading the fortress would be finally met with success in 1554, following the betrayal of Captain Zeti, which led to the surrender of Siena once and for all. The Captain’s gesture was so sensational that, still today, his soul cannot find peace. It is for this reason that Dante described Monteriggioni as an “infernal city”: the damned soul of the Captain, forever regretting his actions and eternally imprisoned, still hovers about the walls of the castle.

(Portions of this article first appeared in "Toscana & Chianti News")

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Medieval Festival in Monteriggioni 8-10 and 15-17 July 2011

Monteriggioni’s festival reaches its twenty-first edition in 2011.

A blend of tradition and innovation welcomes the visitors in a great open-air spectacle whose narrative common thread leads them through heroic armed combats, pranks, intrigue, and merry juggling.
“War and Peace” is the original theme that will mark the attractions and performances of “Monteriggioni wears a crown of towers 2011”, organised by “Monteriggioni A.D. 1213” under the artistic direction of the Jobel Group.
As usual, the festival will be characterised by many entertaining reconstructions of military technology, daily life vignettes, and arts and crafts. A medieval world populated and animated by lively acrobats, musicians, jugglers, soldiers, shopkeepers, spies, pilgrims, innkeepers and merchants will be yours to discover.

(From http://www.monteriggionimedievale.com/en)

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Summer is in the air

(Photos taken by Claudia Gatteschi)
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Spring colours

View from B&B La Locanda, Radda in Chianti, Tuscany.
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WHITE NIGHT Florence - 30th April 2011

A lot of museums will be open until late on the night of Saturday 30th April.
Please click here for more information about performances, concerts and openings of the White Night.
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Solitude, silence and southern charm in remote Roccalbegna

This is an interesting article about Roccalbegna, in Maremma (Tuscany).

Casa in Toscana has a pretty apartment for sale just near Roccalbegna.
The apartment is situated in a little hamlet which was restored carefully about 5 years ago. It is situated near the charming village of Roccalbegna, which is only 18 km away from the famous thermal village Saturnia. The seaside is only 40 minutes away and from the house you enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the hills of Maremma, the seaside and the isles Elba, Giglio and Corsica. The apartment consists of a living-/dining-room with open fireplace, one bedroom, one bathroom. The private garden surrounds the house on three sides. In front of the house you can find a covered loggia with barbecue. The pool with separate poolhouse (WC and showers) is situated in beautiful position.
For more information click here.

In case that you would like to rent something in the same area, why do not choose the apartment Mela? The villa has a generous and well maintained garden, with wonderful open views. The famous hot springs of Saturnia are only 18 km away. In Saturnia there is also a golf course with eighteen holes.
If you want to contact the owner for a booking, click here.

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In Tuscany people live the longest

According to a recent survey, in Tuscany people live the longest thanks to the good socio-cultural environment and appropriate food culture

Here is the link at the article (in Italian).

Apparently, men have life expectancy of 79,6 years old and women of 84,7 years old. Only Japanese women live longer, with a life expectancy of 86 years old.

The reasons lie first of all in the food culture and especially in the famous olive oil, very tasteful and with low calorie content. Second, people in Tuscany do not like to stay alone, and they still enjoy spending time together in Italian bars, political circles, etc. Last, only a part of people living in Tuscany lives in cities. The most part still lives in the countryside, where the air is fresh and free from pollution.

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The Fienile at Le Ripe in Chianti

The former barn has been restored to a delightful open-plan rental cottage for 2 (+2 on sofa bed) with a bedroom up in the mezzanine which overlooks the old threshing floor; a spacious living area with a fireplace and double sofa bed and kitchen with Botticino marble; a large bathroom with one of the best showers this side of Niagara; and its own little verandah as well as a patio for outside eating and private garden. Beautiful views, much peace and quiet.

For more information visit the page of The Fienile at Le Ripe in Chianti on Tuscany Rent Direct.
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