Farmholiday at Querceto; routes in the Cecina valley and Etruscan Coast
Volterra, Costa degli Etruschi, Bolgheri, Montescudaio, Montecatini V.C., querceto, Larderello, San Gimignano, Pisa.
Volterra and Populonia, Volterra-inland and Etruscan Coast :
Volterra,
or the ancient Velathri, was one of the of the twelve Etruscan Lucumonies.
The most important archaeological finds of the Etruscan age are kept
in the “Museo Guarnacci” , absolutely worth visiting, where
you will also admire the so-called “Evening Shadow” and
the “Married-couple Urn”.
Worthy a visit: the Necropolis, the Acropolis, and the Guarnacci Thermae.
The town is still surrounded by the imposing austerity of its medieval
walls; the impressive Roman Theater was built during the Augustean Age
according to the Greek odeon style.
Worth visiting: the town center together with Piazza dei Priori, the
Medicean Stronghold and the numerous Renaissance palaces.
Populonia- Its castle stately stands on an outstanding
headland over the blue sea water; its streets, its walls are the witness
of a long history: Populonia was one of the most important Etruscan
towns and an eminent center for the iron trade. Here the impressive
beauty of the coastboard meets the charm of the past.
The sea and the pinewoods keep and protect the trails of an ancient
civilization.
Worth visiting: the Archaeological Park (80 hectares), a private museum
of Roman and Etruscan finds, and the Necropolis of San Cerbone (built
on the sea).
The apparent horizon shows the Island of Elba and the Corse Island.
Extremely beautiful is the sunset over the Golfo di Baratti, a piece
of uncontaminated Tuscany.
D.O.C. Tours, bolgheri and montescudaio
BOLGHERI. A long wooded avenue, already mentioned by
Carducci in one of his poems, leads to this charming medieval village.
It's an elegant and sophisticated place located among vineyards and
olive-trees. The mild weather of this area protects rare wildlife species
and rare plants.
Worth visiting: the Gherardesca Castle and the Wildlife shelter of Bolgheri
(now turned into a WWF Oasis). In the numerous little shops of the village
you will have the opportunity to taste many local products and the highly-esteemed
Bolgheri DOC wines.
MONTESCUDAIO.
This typical Tuscan village is situated on a hill overlooking the sea;
here you will have the chance to taste some delicious products from
the local gastronomy: home baked bread, salt pork and other esteemed
kind of meat, olive-oil and DOC wines (white, red, Cabernet, Merlot,
Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Vermentino e Vin santo).
The Mines of Montecatini Val Di Cecina and Castello di Querceto
THE MINES OF MONTECATINI. The Cecina Valley underground has always been rich in minerals, alabaster, geothermal steams and rock salt. In the 19th century Montecatini was famous for its copper-mine: the richest and the most important in Europe till 1907 when the mining activity came to an end. Today, this site of industrial archaeology has been turned into an informative museum located just 1 Km far from the village. Before entering the galleries, some informative rooms illustrates the main features of the mine.
QUERCETO. A jewel situated between the sea and Volterra inlands, lost in the middle of green woods and the Mediterranean scrub, Querceto is a pleasant little village made by old houses and by the impressive Ginori Castle.
Worth visiting: Saint John the Baptist Church. In the summertime the picturesque squares become the special setting for many kinds of events (art, music and festivals). The neigbouring areas are an ideal place for hiking or simply for relaxation.
