| Agriturismo La Fornace |
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| in Toscana tra la Costa degli Etruschi e Volterra |
The medieval villages
The Etruscan Coast, Medieval Burroughs and the Tuscan Cities of Art
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The medieval villages: Querceto
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| Querceto, a little village in the council of Montecatini Val di Cecina,
is in the heart of Val di Cecina, few kilometres from Ponteginori, in the
main road that goes to the near Volterra. It is a wonderful place in the
heart of Tuscany, among the hills that follow one another as far as the
eye can see. A place where you may feel a new breath, made of fantasy, nature,
quiet and serenity.
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Etymologically, the name Querceto comes from the meaning of flower in
the Middle Ages. Since ancient times, there was a very important castle,
because it supplied 600 soldiers to the Council of Volterra, but anyway
it was undergone to many other actions of the other villages of this area.
Indeed, nowadays this village is of great interest, not only for its castle
but also for its ancient houses and its church, dedicated to St. John the
Baptist. Outside, the building keeps its original parameter with rows
of small sandstone ashlars and a peculiar iconography. Indeed, when you
enter, you see one nave with two end bays, getting a crossed-shape. Its
original apse has been substituted by a rectangular purse to keep money
and papers called “scarsella”. Eventually, the symbols of two evangelists
stand out (the eagle and the lion) at the sides of the Redeemer, represented
as a child, modelled at the capital of the semi-pillar of the right nave.
The large and notable fresco in the apse is a recent work by Luciano Guarnieri.
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The medieval villages: Bolgheri
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Bolgheri is located on a little height at the end of the famous Cypresses
Boulevard that stretches from San Guido. The village is surrounded by woods,
plenty of Mediterranean vegetation and a well-tilled plain.
Bolgheri is linked to Castagneto, - its borough - through "Via Bolgherese",
a wonderful boulevard become famous as the "Wine Road" for its production
of rare wines. Through a mighty arch of a castle you will get into the old
village. Indoors, among its ancient lanes and squares, little "shops" spring
up. There you may buy the typical products of the area and taste the natural
local speciality.Between 1838 and 1848 Giosuč Carducci lived in Bolgheri,
chanted it in its lines and this village became known all over the world.
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The medieval villages: Castagneto Carducci
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Castagneto Carducci is set on the top of a hill that overlooks the countryside
and the near sea. This charming Medieval village springs up round the Castle
of Della Gherardesca, built about during the year 1000. The village has
paved lanes, natural terraces that view the sea and the countryside, pleasant
square, ancient craftsman shop and typical small restaurants. Many historical
evidences are worth of note such as the Praetorian Palace – now seat of
the Municipality – S. Lorenzo and SS. Crucifix Churches (the latter because
its woody crucifix of the XV century in the church).
At the beginning this village was named Castagneto Marittimo. Then, in
the early XX c., it turned its name into Castagneto Carducci in honour of
the great poet Giosuč Carducci that spent there many years of his life.
Giosuč Carducci's house is now a museum full of evidences.
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