Going from Tavarnelle to Ponte Novo

From Tavarnelle take the road downhill to Ponte Novo: the first turning on the right leads to the Parish Church of San Pietro in Bossolo. The next left turn is via San Michele, a dirt road lined with olive trees leading to the houses of San Michele a Viculo, an ancient “vicus”, or Medieval fortified village. Via della Romita begins halfway down the slope towards the river Pesa. Running along the ridge of the hills over the river’s left bank, it arrives at San Pancrazio, passing through Salivolpe and almost immediately entering the municipality of San Casciano. A right turn on via della Romita is one way of reaching the Castle of Poggio Petroio, which can also be accessed from the other side of the hill from the via Cassia.

San Pietro in Bossolo

san-pietro-bossolo-churchSan Pietro in Bossolo was originally a Roman administrative center. The name probably derives from the Latin “buxula”, the case in which public money, both revenues and troops’ wages, was kept. There had been a Christian settlement and church here since the 4th century. In the 1960s excavations under the large square in front of the church unearthed the remains of an 11th century octagonal baptistery. The present Romanesque parish church, Mentioned in 11th century documents, has a simple facade and a portico, which was added in 1510 by Andrea Buondelmonti, who also had the rectory rebuilt. The interior of the church regained a Romanesque appearance when 20th century restorations freed it from its many Baroque additions. It was during these works that a monolithic octagonal baptismal font in pietra serena, originally in the baptistery, was found and brought into the church. Opening onto the left nave is the chapel that was built by the parish priest Cosimo Fabbri in 1818 to house the venerated Virgin from the Oratory of San Giusto a Petroio, which was then in ruins. The sacred image has been replaced by a copy: the original 15th century panel by Rossello di Jacopo Franchi is in the museum within the parish church.

The Map of The Area

The points of Interest from Tavarnelle to Ponte Novo

The points of Interest from Tavarnelle to Ponte Novo

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Return to San Casciano in Val di Pesa