Discover Chianti

San Filippo a Ponzano

The Church of San Filippo is found in records from the beginning of the 12th century. It was subject to Semifonte, and for this reason, the heads of the families of San Filippo had to swear an oath of peace to Florence after the war with Semifonte. Little is known about this church, enclosed by the houses of the small village. The building underwent radical restoration in 1924 and the bell-tower was added. Its Romanesque characteristics, however, are still visible in the regular masonry of the facade and in the apse, decorated by small suspended arches.

Sosta del Papa

Along via Cassia is a farmhouse known as “Sosta del Papa”. A plaque on its facade commemorates the fact that Pope Pius Vll stopped here on the 2nd of ]une 1815. The Pope, driven out of Rome by Murat’s troops during the last period of Napoleonic domination – the “One hundred days” that preceded the Emperor’s definite exile to the island Saint Helena – made a triumphant return in the spring of 1815. During the course of his journey, he stopped for “a physical necessity” and “honored this house with his august presence”.

San Martino ai Colli

The Church of San Martino ai Colli is set on a small tufa hill to the right of via Cassia. It has Romanesque origins, but underwent a reconstruction at a later date, which added peculiar curved pediment to the facade. Etruscan tombs were unearthed not far from the church at the beginning of the last century. Following the excavations of 1960-1961 the archaeological finds were cataloged and are now exhibited at the Antiquarium di Sant’Appiano.

Spoiano

Two symmetrical towers mark the villa di Spoiano. A beautiful building laid out around a central courtyard, the villa stands on a hill that slopes gently down to the river Elsa. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but the Villa is recorded in 1689 as the home of the de’ Nobili family. Here, Giovanni de’ Nobili kept his Natural History collection, finds from the area’s fossil beds.
Azienda Vinicola Fattoria di Spoiano produces organic wine. The Villa and the four typical Tuscan farmhouses nearby, have been restored respecting their original structures, while adding modern comforts. The Villa’s rooms are finely furnished, have en suite bathroom with shower, and most have have their own kitchen. Guests can enjoy the villa’s large terrace garden, with a view stretching all the way to San Gimignano. On Friday mornings, by appointment, there are guided visits to the wine cellars and the small private museum, and on this occasion the estate’s various products can be tasted. From Fattoria di Spoiano places of major natural, historical, cultural and artistic interest are easily reached. A holiday spent here combines both culture and rural relaxation.
Address: Via Spoiano, 2 – Loc. Spoiano Tavarnelle Val di Pesa Phone: 055 8077313 email: spoiano@tin.it site: www.toscanaholidays.com

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