Chianti Castle Tour

Meleto and Brolio are two famous Castles of the Chianti area which are open for visits.

The Castle of Meleto belonged to the Benedictine monks of the Coltibuono Abbey. The name "Meleto in Chianti" appears for the first time in 1269, in the Florentine Guelphs' "Libro degli Estimi", as the property of the family of Rainerii de Ricasolis. The Ricasoli family extended and embellished the building over the centuries, and today the Castle still has its massive 15 th century fortifications with an imposing cylindrical tower built as protection against artillery fire. But there is also the aristocratic grace of the villa nobile, with its sequence of furnished and decorated rooms, and an unparalleled 18th century theatre.

You can visit the Castle of Meleto during all the year.

The visit hours are fixed as follow:

- Monday: 3.00 p.m. & 4.30 p.m.

- from Tuesday to Saturday: 11.30 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. & 4.30 p.m.

- Sunday: 11.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. & 5.00 p.m.

You can also require a wine tasting of their own wines.

About the Castle of Brolio we have already spoken about that and its famous winery Ricasoli in one of our wine tours suggestion.

Heritage Sites in Tuscany

Perhaps you do not know that among the six heritage sites in Tuscany four of them are in the area of Siena: what a privilege it is for us!

Here is the list and the selection criteria of UNESCO for each one of them:

Historic Centre of Siena from 1995

Siena is the embodiment of a medieval city. Its inhabitants pursued their rivalry with Florence right into the area of urban planning. Throughout the centuries, they preserved their city's Gothic appearance, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries. During this period the work of Duccio, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini was to influence the course of Italian and, more broadly, European art. The whole city of Siena, built around the Piazza del Campo, was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape.

Criteria:

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Tuscany trips: Garfagnana

If you have already been at Borgo Grondaie you know that at the Hall, near the internet point, there is a bookrack with a book entitled 'Toscana, Places of harmony' which was given us by Antonella and Caterina, the instructors of Nordic Walking.

In this book there are wonderful pictures taken by Andrea Bonfanti.

Every day I had a look at this book when I was at work looking for some new places to visit in Tuscany and... every time I was impressed by a picture of a Medieval bridge situated in a village called Borgo a Mozzano that is a little bit far from Siena, about two hours and half but... just a week ago I had the opportunity to go there and verify if this bridge was so beautiful like in the picture and it is indeed.

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