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Montefioralle - a fortified mediaeval village in Tuscany
"Uno dei borghi più belli d'Italia" |
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Montefioralle |
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Click the smaller images for a larger picture |
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Walls of Montefioralle |
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Montefioralle in winter |
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Fonte di Martello |
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The "castello" of Montefioralle is probably one of the most ancient villages in Chianti and is still today enclosed within its original walls. These were initially two circuits but houses now fill the space between the original structures. The walls were octagonal in outline, with four gates, modifications of which still exist. During the Middle Ages it was one of the largest military and administrative centres of the area. The first notice of the settlement is from 1085. It belonged to the families Ricasoli, Benci, Gherardini and Vespucci. In 1325 it was sacked by Castruccio Castracani. At the highest point of the village, the church of S. Stefano, rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries, may be visited. In the wide nave are a number of works of art, notably a precious work of the 13th century depicting the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus and two angels, attributed to the Master of Bagnano or to the Maestro of Greve. In the presbytery is the "Trinity and four Saints", an anonymous work showing the influences of Neri di Bicci and Andrea del Castagno. On the left is a painting of the Virgin Mary with the John the Baptist and Saint Stephen, a work of the school of Lorenzo Monaco (beginning of the 15th century). Until 1630, the name of the village was Monteficalle.
Anna Maria Baldini |
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Montefioralle is well worth a visit for the "castle" itself, the pleasant climate and the pleasing views. It is an easy 20 minute up-hill walk or a short car ride from Greve. From Montefioralle, there is an interesting hike along the back roads to Panzano. |
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A house in the circular main street of Montefioralle is pointed out as the birth-place of Amerigo Vespucci. The doorway is identified by the wasp ("vespa") and V of the Vespucci family. |
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The cool passageways and overarching houses of Montefioralle provide one of the best surviving examples of mediaeval rural village architecture in Tuscany. |
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Frittelle Festival. On the Sunday following St Joseph's day, frittelle, fried rice cakes, are prepared in a huge cauldron of oil. This festival draws a large crowd and is well worth attending. |
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Vacation rental apartment in Montefioralle
Casa Forese vacation rental - one of two apartments in a recently restored house at the foot of the walls of Montefioralle. Large, enclosed garden, excellent location and very reasonable price. Suitable for two adults and one or two children. More about Casa Forese. |
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