Itineraries Italy: Villa Cenami at Saltocchio – Lucca
Built during the second half of the 16th century, the villa is situated at the end of a long avenue which was once lined with poplars.
The villa and its gate provide the scenic back drop to the road tht leads up to it.
The rational composition of the opening in the facade is enhanced by a roof with balustrades and pyramid shaped stones, vases and animals which date back to before the first half of the 1800s.
The temple in the centre of a balustrade, a belvedere over the surrounding countryside, also dates back to this period.
Near the villa, there used to be a farm, a large lemon house with a cross-vault roof, storerooms for the wine and oil, and an olive mill, which was also mentioned by Georg Cristoph Martini who helped to press the olives for the first time.
National Museum of Bargello
The National Museum has its setting in one of the oldest buildings in Florence that dates back to 1255. Initially the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo (Captain of the People) and later of the Podestà, the palace became, in the sixteenth century, the residence of the Bargello that is of the head of the police (from which the palace takes its name) and was used as prison during the whole 18th century. Its walls witnessed important episodes of civic history.
It was the meeting place of the Council of the Hundred in which Dante took part. It wituessed sieges, fires, executions, the most famous perhaps being that of Baroncelli, involved in the Pazzi plot against the Medici, which Leonardo also witnessed. During the 14th and 15th century, the palace was subjected to a series of alterations and additions, still preserving its harmonious severity, best seen in the beautiful courtyard, the balcony and the large hall on the first floor.
The building’s use as National Museum began in the mid-19th century. Today it is the setting for works of sculpture, mainly from the grand ducal colleotions, and for many examples of “minor” Gothic decorative arts.
The large 14th century hall on the first floor displays some works by Donatello (1386-1466) including the early marble David, the St. George moved to this location from the niche in Orsammichele, the more mature and ambiguous bronze David, the Atys. and the Marzocco, originally installed on the battlements of Palazzo Vecchio. The works of the master are surrounded by the most delicate works of his pupils Desiderio da Settignano (c. 1430-1464) and Antonio Rossellino (c. 1427-1479). The collection also includes the two panels entered by Lorenzo Ghiberti and Filippo Brunelleschi for the Baptistery door competition of 1401.
The Renaissance repertoire comprises the glazed terracottas by Luca della Robbia (c.1400 – 1482) that include a very extraordinary group of Madonna with Child.
The rooms on the ground floor exhibit Tuscan 16th century works, focusing in particular on four masterpieces by Michelangelo (1475-1564): Bacchus, the relief representing a Madonna with Child, Brutus and David-Apollo.
The assortment is then followed by works of Andrea Sansovino (14601529), Jacopo Sansovino (1486-1570), Baccio Bandinelli (1488- 1560), Bartolomeo Ammannati (1511-1592), Benvenuto Cellini (the model of Perseus and the small bronze sculptures were moved to this location from the Loggia dell’Orcagna), down to Giambologna (1529-1608) with his admirable Mercury.
The bronze animals that were originally placed in the grotto of the Medici villa of Castello are now displayed on the staircases.
The museum stores however many other treasures: fine works of art enriched by the Carrand, Ressman and Franchetti collections comprising decorative or “minor” arts are distributed among the several rooms of the Palace, both on the first and second floor.
From ivories that include several Roman and Byzantine examples, down to medieval glazes and Limoges porcelain from German and French gold works, Renaissance jewels down to Islamic examples of damascened bronze; from grand ducal collections down to Venetian glass.
The museum displays several treasures including very unique panel pieces and wooden sculptures. Of note are also the majolicas, arms and small bronze statues.
Two rooms on the second floor are dedicated to the glazed terracottas created by Andrea and Giovanni Della Robbia, besides displaying the bronze David and the Lady with Posy by Verrocchio in the room named after the artist, which displays also an extraordinary collection of busts of Florentine personalities made by some of the most important 15th century artists. One of the most important sculptures is the portrait of Costanza Buonarelli by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It is also worth visiting the very lavish collection of medals belonging to the Medici family.
The Azienda Agricola Poggio Cappiano is a family-run farm in Ponte a Cappiano, just a few kilometres from Florence in the Tuscan countryside.
For many years now, our main efforts have concentrated on the production of extra-virgin olive oil from typical Tuscan olives from our own estate, particularly from the cultivar Madremignola, cultivar Mignola, and Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo varieties blend.
Our olive oil is sold directly on company premises and by shipping, in 0.1 litre, 0.25 litre, 0.5 litre and 0.75 litre bottles.
From harvest to packaging, every detail receives extreme care.
More information can be found in our web site, however please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information or for a quote, via e-mail: info@poggiocappiano.it
San Martino in Colle
Tradition has it that this high hill which looks out over the district of pescia and part of the plain of Lucca, was the site of a fortress built by Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli, Lord of Lucca, to keep a lookout for threats from the Guelphs of Florence.
This small rural settlement and the little church of San Martino were built on the ruins of that foretification.
The church of San martino in Colle was founded in the 11th century and in the 19th century it was enlarged and renovated. In 1810 two altars were placed in the new transept; these and the very fine Natività della Vergine on one of the altars came from the church of San Pietro Maggiore, which was demolished to make way for piazza Napoleone in the old-town centre of Lucca.
Colline Lucchesi wines
The Denominazione di Origine Controllata “Colline Lucchesi” white and red wines also boast an ancient history and a tradition of quality; their protection was one of the first to be guaranteed by a presidential decree daated 1968 and, with some subsequent modifications, the regulations governing the production of wines were brought into force by the ministerial decree of 8 July 1997.
The area of production extends from the municipalities of Lucca, Capannori and Porcari and it includes various areas and entire communities sucha as Castagnori, Forci, Pieve Santo Stefano, Mutigliano, Cappella, the area west of the Morianese, San Pancrazio, Matraia, Valgiano, San Colombano, Segromigno in Monte, Camigliano, Tofori, San Pietro a marcigliano, San Gennaro and Gragnano.
The Collin e Lucchesi red and white wines enjoy a particularly excellent climate and habitat, a variety of composition and an enological tradition that is based on the history and culture of the great Lucchese families. A significant example of this civilisation is the large fresco in the Buonvisi villa at Forci depicting the “Triumph of Bacchus” with the villa itself in the background, recognisable by the large portico facin g the valley.
But already in 1382 a contemporary of Dante’s, Antonio di Pace degli Orsi, described it as being a “tasty wine” and added: “the more I drink it, the more I want to drink it”.
Don’t forget the appointment with event “Vini della costa Toscana” on 8th and 9th may.
