Neighborhood
From the top of the hill, where Castello di Fulignano is located, all around a spectacular and breathtaking landscape will surprise you in every season. Your gaze will sweep all around you without ceasing, from the Apuane Alps at North-West to the Pistoiese Appenine with the Abetone peak, to the Pratomagno mountain range East, down to the Monte Maggio South, and Monte Miccioli with its hills, declining towards the sea on the West side. The tiny ancient hamlets, the gracious country churches, the farms scattered on the hills, vineyards and olive trees groves complete this spectacular land.
And for the attentive visitor, not only artistic jewels such as San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena or even Certaldo, home town of poet Boccaccio.
We will help you to discover many other gems of wonderful Tuscany, treasures that will unveil before your eyes as soon as you step off the beaten track.
The Francigena
Within a few km, places that you can reach even by foot through enchanting landscapes, like the Renaissance Church at Pancole, with its charming ancient legend about a miracle. The church was bombed during World War Two. It is now a Jubilee Church that stands along the world famous pilgrim road named “Via Francigena”.
A few steps more and there you are at Pieve di Cellole, a charming tiny Roman church hidden in a cypress tree grove. You can now jump into your car and drive about 12 km: you will reach the “Italian Jerusalem”, that is the striking Franciscan convent at San Vivaldo with its 18 votive chapels, adorned by beautiful terracottas by artists of Luca della Robbia’s school.
To Siena
In the opposite direction, within a 12 km drive we are in Colle Val d’Elsa, the town of crystal-making, with its imposing medieval rampart and the castle; the archaeological site of Dometaia and its intriguing Etruscan necropolis recently excavated; then you can take a glimpse of the medieval castle architecture by visiting charming Monteriggioni, a walled tiny village perched on top of a hill, standing as a fierce guardian between Firenze and Siena. Nearby, Rocca di Staggia, a tower that once belonged to the same noble family owner of Castello di Fulignano. In between these two beautiful spots, you can make a halt at Abbadia Isola, one of the most ancient human dwellings of the region, and admire its stern beautiful Roman church.
Siena
And then you will reach magnificent Siena, that in every season will welcome you with its generosity of art and beauty: “Cor magis tibi Sena pandit” (Siena opens to you its big heart) stands out on the Porta Camollia arched gate: and not by chance, welcoming visitors from all over the world to discover and admire the secrets of this wonder, listed in the UNESCO Heritage. On the horizon, the outline of the cathedral (Il Duomo) one of the most spectacular and magnificent in Italy for the quality and variety of artists who worked on it, leaving behind them an invaluable art treasure. Many of these works you can find at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo across the square (above all “La Maestà” by Duccio di Boninsegna). The art sight continues in the marvellous new Museum that occupies the ancient wards of the Santa Maria della Scala hospital (did you know that it worked as a hospice and hospital for pilgrims back from the X Century? And that in the lower layers there’s still a Roman road track, besides the seat of the abounding Archaeological Museum).
And eventually, you will reach the striking Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful Piazzas in Italy and here, eyes and heart will be fulfilled with beauty. In the Palazzo Pubblico (ancient seat of the town government) you can admire the courtly fresco of the “Maestà” (the Majesty) by Simone Martini, the renowned “Guidoriccio da Fogliano” by the same artist and the amazing fresco ”Allegoria del Buono e del Cattivo governo” (Allegory on the effects of the good and the bad government) by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, the first profane fresco cycle in the history of Art. If you still have stamina, climb on top of the Torre del Mangia (the tower at Palazzo Pubblico) and enjoy the breathtaking views.
But many other wonders are yet to discover: let us know your interests and desires, we are happy to suggest you interesting and unforgettable itineraries!