 |
Sovicille near Siena in Tuscany |
 |
|
Sovicille near Siena in Tuscany |
|
)
Click the picture for a larger view of Sovicille
Sovicille is located in the eastern part of the
Sienese Montagnola, an area
of lush forest and mediaeval villages 12 km from the centre of Sienna, and has played a remarkable role in the history of
Republic of Sienna.
One of the main monuments of the Sovicille area is the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista
(Parish Church Ponte allo Spino - dedicated to John
the Baptist), a romanesque structure with three naves located close to the remains of a gothic cloister, the Hermitage
of Rosia.
The church is better known as the "Pieve di Ponte allo Spino" and was originally built in the second half of the
12 C by Vallambrosan
monks and shows many similarities with contemporary French architecture.
) Pieve di Ponte allo Spino |
) Hermitage of Rosia |
| Click the pictures for a larger view | |
) Ponte della Pia |
|
It would be difficult to name all the castles, palaces, small churches, the tower-houses, the historical settlements spread in Sovicille area, from the tangle of forests of the Montagnola up to the valleys (Montarrenti, Palazzo al Piano, Brenna, Tonni and then
San Gimignano, San Giusto a Balli, Pernina and
many others). Each one is worth visiting not only for the countryside but also
because of the history of the land and the people living here. There are several
occupied and also ruined Augustinian monasteries in the
area, most notably the
Hermitage and Monastery
of Lecceto. Last but not
least is the river Merse, one of the most beautiful of this region, and the Farma
stream, flowing through a very interesting
natural area. They are visited all year round by fishermen and, in summer, by tourists looking for a pleasant place to bathe.
In addition, about 35 km to the south west, is one of the most famous sights in
Tuscany, the ruined Cisterician
Abbey of San Galgano.
|
| For Italian garden enthusiasts! | |
)
Villa di Celsa gardens |
 Villa Cetinale gardens |
|
