Vacation in San Casciano in Val di Pesa
Coming from Florence, this is the North Gate of Chianti: San Casciano Val di Pesa! ... A gate quite worthy to be the entrance to such a beautiful area.
San Casciano is one of the largest towns of Chianti, with a population of about 17,000 inhabitants. In Roman times, it was already a “resting station”, but the village grew significantly only in the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic location at the confluence of the way to Volterra and the Roman Royal Road. So, unlike Tavarnelle, it soon needed to be fortified. In mid-1300 the polygonal walls are completed, including the castle and the towers that are still partly visible.
Within the boundaries of the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa there are several medieval villages, including Sant’Andrea in Percussina, where Machiavelli spent his exile writing "The Prince". The great Florentine humanist chose well, because on a clear day from atop Sant’Andrea you can enjoy a beautiful sight of Florence and get to see the Cathedral. Don’t you believe us? Go and try!
Very nice is also Mercatale in Val di Pesa, where stands the impressive Castle of Palagio that, thanks to the powerful sloping base and the mighty quadrilateral walls topped by a central tower managed to withstand, undamaged, several raids and destruction carried out by powerful armies like that of Henry VII of Luxemburg. Today, got back to a more peaceful activity as viticulture, it is more easily "conquerable" even for a simple tasting, or, if you are interested, for pleasant Tuscan cooking classes. For info: www.castelloilpalagio.it
Still in the surroundings of San Casciano, among many other churches, you can visit the Pieve (=parish church) of Santa Cecilia a Decimo, which is the oldest in the Florentine countryside, cited in some documents dated back to 884. The name Decimo (=tenth) derives from its position at the "tenth" milestone, coming from Florence, along the Via Cassia. And then, the Pieve of San Pancrazio, for centuries under the patronage of the Cavalcanti family, and the Pieve of San Giovanni in Sugana, on top of the hill, are of great value both for their rich history at the head of suffragan churches for centuries, and for the beauty of their well preserved architectures and the artworks inside.
Our most requested villas for vacation rentals:
Villa for holidays on the hills of the Florentine countryside. Accommodation for 12+2 people, garden, private swimming pool, hydro massage, Internet connection.
More details
Villa for rent in the countryside of Chianti, near Florence. Accommodation for 8/12 people, private swimming pool, outdoor whirlpool bath for 7, Internet connection, children's playground, air conditioning. Golf club, riding stable and tennis club within a few kilometres. Possibility of organising dinners and cooking lessons.
More details
Villa for vacation rental in Radda in Chianti, between Florence and Siena, in the Tuscan countryside. Accommodation for 10 people, garden, swimming pool, panoramic view, Internet connection.
More details
Villa with swimming pool for rent near Siena for holidays in Tuscany. Villa with accommodation for 4/6 people, panoramic view on Siena.
More details