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Holidays in Castellina in Chianti



Castellina in Chianti was the Florentine outpost closer to Siena and also one of the three Chief Towns of the League of Chianti. Located on a strategic hill, at the joining point of three valleys - Val D`Arbia, Val d`Elsa and Val di Pesa – it always had high defence needs during the Middle Ages. That`s why its walls were among the "thickest" in the area. After all, Castellina in Chianti is one of the oldest human settlements in Chianti. It was already inhabited by the Etruscans, as the remains of the necropolis of Poggino and the mound of Montecalvario witness. They are rather interesting sites to visit. Later, also the Romans settled on this beautiful hill, although the present village dates back only to the thirteenth century. It was founded with the original name of “Castellina dei Trebbiesi”, in honour of the lords of the near Castle of Trebbio.
If you decide to devote a day to visit Castellina and its surroundings (we highly recommend it because you will discover another jewel!), you could begin from the beautiful Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore (=Church of the Holy Saviour ) in the town centre. The structure is complex, but harmonious, decorated with suspended arches and stone ribs and has a “three-floors” bell tower. Inside, you will find some works of art worthy of note, including a polychrome wooden statue of St. Barnabas by the artist Domenico Arrighetti from Siena.

The centre of Castellina in Chianti is characterized by the massive construction of the fortress, from whose tower you can admire one of the best panoramic views of Chianti. For some years the fortress also hosts an interesting Archaeological Museum, which retraces the various historical periods that have characterized this land. By the way, at the foot of the tower there is a small restaurant that offers excellent dishes of Tuscan cuisine. It is not the only one in Castellina, where people love good food... The fortress is situated on what was the south side of the ancient city walls, now completely destroyed. On the contrary, the north side of the walls is better preserved and offers a suggestive sub-walkway Via delle Volte(=Vaults street). Originally, the walls had two main doors towards the two main centres, Porta Fiorentina (= door to Florence) and Porta Senese (= door to Siena). The latter was unfortunately demolished after World War II because it was unsafe.

Near Castellina, you can find many beautiful churches and parishes that (you may have guessed by now) in our area are not lacking! Hence the Church of San Niccolò a Sterzi along the way to Poggibonsi, the Church of San Martino in Cispiano, the Church of San Quirico close to the ancient Castle of Squarcialupi in Mortenano, and yet the Pieve (=parish church) di Santa Agnese and the Pieve of San Leonino in Conio from the XIII century. Coming from Siena to Castellina in Chianti, this latter religious building is just before Fonterutoli, a beautiful medieval village, where, in `200, the peace treaties were signed between Siena and Florence, attributing most of the Chianti to the "city of the lily”(=Florence).

Also the Castle of Fonterutoli, around which lies the village, is today a renowned winery and every afternoon you can take guided tours of the village, and the company`s new ultra-modern winery with a tasting session! (www.mazzei.it)

 

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Villa Montespertoli
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Villa Siena
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