Guided trekking 15, 18, 20 and 28 June.
Walking with mules: Stazzema, Circuit of Pruno’s mountain shelters. 18 and 28 june. Walk the Corpus Christi petal carpet at Camaiore, 14 June.
Summer Solstice events: Acqua Pendente Waterfall and the Orzale Ring. From the chestnut grove to the table, visit the chestnut groves and flour mills. Taste chestnut pancakes with ricotta.
Star gazing evenings.
Visit the Parco della pace at S. Anna di Stazzema Nordic Walking. Book 3 days in advance. Tel 0583 644242.
Consult the detailed programme on www.tuscanywalkingfestival.it
Music under the Tower
Do not miss the six concerts of classical, jazz and chamber music being held in June and July in the fascinating and informal setting of the Cathedral Cloister at Pisa. The cloister can hold only a few hundred people, so music and art will combine to create an intimate atmosphere of pure relaxation and pleasure. Enjoy beautiful music in the shadow of the Tower, in the early summer evening air as the rays of the sun fade away.
This is the ninth edition of this special festival. And this year, top artists will perform music by Piazzolla, Morricone, Bach, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Chopin, Stravinsky, Kurt Weill and others.
All concerts will start at 9 pm.
Tickets euro 12,00
Dates: 21-25 and 28 June; 1-5 and 8 July 2010
Info tel: +39 050 835029
Fax: +39 050 560505 www.opapisa.it – animamundi@opapisa.it
Better known as the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, romantic Vinci holds the same magic as the rest of Tuscany. It takes just half an hour’s drive from Florence through the scenic SS 67 route towards Empoli that takes you right to Vinci. Visitors to Vinci would appreciate the town better if they park on the outskirts and explore this medieval village by foot. As one nears the town, a big wooden sculpture of the Vitruvian man welcomes you. The square overlooks the valley below and is steep with a fabulous panoramic view. Vinci’s mysterious origins date back to the Etruscans.
Spectacular as the town where the famous Leonardo da Vinci was born, the small hill town of Vinci has not changed much for the past 544 years. Picturesque stone houses still cling to the strong battlements of the castle. Built in the Middle Ages, the castle came under the rule of the Florentines in 1254. Located on the hilltop, the castle stood witness as many a battle raged between Florence and Pisa. But the enchantment and peace of Vinci is still retained and enjoyed by the 14,000 people living there today. The borough of Vinci is situated in the heart of Tuscany a few kilometres from Florence, close to Pisa, and an hour’s drive from Lucca and Siena.
As an important landmark in Vinci, the tall church bell tower can still be seen for miles. Surrounded by fertile farmland, the hillsides around Vince are lush with vineyards and olive groves that grow around in the lovely landscapes. Leonardo da Vinci’s presence can be felt everywhere adding to the mysterious charm of Vinci. The slopes that are seen above Vinci rise to the Mount Albano where Leonardo da Vinci loved to walk. Scenic and beautiful, silvery streaks of small mountain streams run down from the mountain past Vinci to the valley of the Arno River below. Inspired by what he saw around him, Leonardo’s enchanted childhood led him to explore and study the woods, natural life and streams of Vinci which he depicted in his sketches. Later as he grew, Leonardo reflected these scenes in his detailed life-like paintings of plants and wildflowers at the feet of the angel in The Annunciation and the rocky caves and pools of water surrounding the figures in The Virgin of the Rocks.
Another feature that has endeared Vinci as an immortal town is its curious castle that is known as “The Ship’s Castle” because of its unusual shape. This castle houses the fascinating Il Museo Leonardiano Di Vinci. Displaying Leonardo’s mechanical, scientific and engineering inventions, the museum showcases Leonardo’s work through models constructed according to the original dimensions. The museum evolves over two floors and has computers which enable the visitors to view video presentations, play interactive games and acquire more information. The important feature of the models is that it displays the transition of Leonardo’s sketches into reality that cover a range of domed buildings, cars and planes to underwater suits. There is also a library that has a complete collection of his observations and ideas.
The castle opens its ancient path to view the lovely medieval town of Vinci. Quite close to the museum, the church of Santa Croce echoes with the whisper of legends that the great Leonardo da Vinci was baptized in its hallowed premises. Though this lovely little church has been renovated several times it still retains its medieval charm. Vinci’s winding streets, alleyways and stairways are fascinating with a wonderful discovery round every corner. Vinci’s repertoire of restaurants and shops are not wide and varied but small and wonderful. Vinci’s cuisine and crafts are a delight to experience as well as its great extra virgin olive oil and the Chianti Putto Montalbano, the local wine of Vinci.
Just a few kilometers away, the main town of Anciamo stands where Leonardo was born. Timeless and unique, Vinci opens paths to visit and be inspired by the town of Montelupo Fiorenti that is close by and famous for its ceramic. The Frescobaldi Tower houses the Glass Museum in Montelupo. The ceramic studio of the famous artisan, Fratelli Taccini can be found in Sovigliana di Vinci that displays the talented heritage of the Taccini family. The ‘Il Cristo Croce Fisso’ was made of clay and wrought iron in 1995 by Taccini. Vinci holds the essence of romance and fascination that has brought countless visitors to its lovely village to linger and absorb the magic of mystery.
As ancient as time itself, Malmantile stands as a fortified village. A few kilometers down the old Via Pisana from Lastra A Signa leads in the direction of Montelupo Fiorentino. There among the majestic hills, the Medieval Castle of Malmantile beckons with the ancient hands of time. Though not a very big fortification, the castle built in the 15th century is unusual with its strong walls still holding out against the elements of time. Though the origins are mysterious, Malmantile was a military stronghold on the old road that connected Florence with Pisa before it evolved into a town. An interesting fact accompanies the name ‘Mamantile’. As the legends traverse back to the 4th century, S. Ambrogio, the bishop of Milan was travelling to central Italy and en route met S. Zanobi, the bishop of Florence. The bishops were put up at a homestead there. When S.Ambrogio left, he was so upset at the bad treatment he received there and cursed the place. A few days later, the homestead crashed and fell to the ground. After this strange event, the place was named ‘Malmantile’ which in ancient Italian meant ‘bad welcome’.
The Gothic walled enclosure dates back to 1424 and was one of the first of its kind to be built. As a fortified town wall, it was a classic example with machicolations along the perimeter, the style of which was used through the following years. As another accolade, the famous architect, Brunelleschi was involved in its construction. Forming a perfect rectangle, the walls have a dimension of 125×70 meters with 2 gates. Though the walls still stand, there is little remaining of the machicoulis. Formed by brackets in stone, four rounded projections were built with bricks to support the ogival arch made of “beccatelli” or gray stone. On the alternate arches there were holes or protrusions with square embrasures, from where, during an attack, defenders dropped heavy objects or boiling liquids on the enemies who climbed up the wall. The whole boundary wall had slits at ten meter intervals to permit a man armed with bow and arrows to look through and aim at the enemy.
The town-walls have square towers at its angles and two towers at the middle of the longest sides. The two gates have curved arches structured on the outside of the town wall with loopholes on both sides. Part of the wall facing Pisa on the southwest still retains the machicolation with a parapet. At the south of the gate, the walls are pierced by the windows of the houses built on the inside. The northwest side is open but almost covered by the houses built on the outside. The gate that leads to Florence is in dire need of renovation. The walls were very important as the Florentine Republic found it necessary to control the road leading to the enemy boundary of Pisa. But the construction of the walls took time and was finished only after Pisa was conquered. The fortified strategic point of the road to Pisa lost its importance after the fall of the Florentine Republic in 1530. As a result of which Malmantile remained an isolated post and was not touched by modernity.
Today, Malmantile is quiet and tranquil with few or no tourists. This ancient town houses a few shops, a school, a pharmacy and a post office. There is a lovely 16th century cantina there that serves traditional fare such as, game dishes among which you can find Sweet and Sour Hare/Rabbit. You can also find a delicious and filling ‘panino con salame e stracchino’ or a bread roll with salami and rich cheese and plenty of Chianti Colle Bertini made at the Fattoria. Malmantile between the months of May and June re-enacts the ‘Festa Medievale‘ or a medieval festival or joust.
Montelupo has been known over the centuries as an innovative and versatile center for creating masterpieces in ceramics. Montelupo was founded in the early Middle Ages and was taken over by the Florentine Republic in 1204. The area was again re-built as a military township and towards the 14th century the town was encircled by walls to protect it against enemies. Montelupo is 25 kilometers from Florence and evolves over an area near the Arno. Ranging over the southwestern hills of Florence, Montelupo lies in an area where the Arno joins the Pesa river valley. Montelupo expanded with a big villa built by the Medici family on the left bank of the Arno bordering the neighborhood of Ambrogiana. By the 19th century, the villa was turned into a prison asylum called the Ospedale Psichiatrico Guidiziario. But the innate talent and passion of the people of Montelupo grew and was sculpted into magical masterpieces in ceramics. Combining old techniques with new and blending art with ideas, Montelupo treasured and guarded fiercely a legacy of ceramic creations.
The artisans of Montelupo enchanted the world with an amazing variety of designs in vases, plates, plaques, tiles, flooring bricks and a host of versatile majolicas. The traditional Ceramic Festival at Montelupo opens myriad delights with the inhabitants dressing in costumes with a colorful pageantry of musicians and jugglers. The Medici Villa dell’Ambrogiana displays the work of its master craftsman, Buontalenti. Montelupo can be reached by crossing Montalbano and just before the middle bank of the River Arno, Montelupo, the ‘Town of Ceramics’, evolves over the lovely countryside of Tuscany. The soil of the river banks has molded the destiny of Montelupo with its rich natural clay soil that is ideal for craftsmen to sculpt this porous material into the making of the famous majolica. The warm and dry climate of the Mediterranean basin has been suitable for the creation of porcelain, ceramic and stoneware. The Majorcan merchants brought in this incredible art from overseas. The creations went through the influences of Hispano-Moresque lusterware, the Renaissance and that of Chinese porcelain. As a result, the ceramic creations were transformed into Faience, the French term for pottery or wares from Faenza, Italy. Soon it was the fashion and the nobility entranced with this lovely form of art, the majolica was used to decorate buildings, palazzos, royal courts and cathedrals.
The ceramic route evolved over the Tiber in Umbria and the Arno in Tuscany with various styles as history patterned people’s lives. Contado in the 13th century woke up from the heavy influence of the ‘stovigliai’ to the ‘archaic majolica’ that produced high quality ceramic products. The talented inhabitants of Montelupo experimented and produced awesome styles that ranged from the ‘international gothic’ the ‘graffite tirreniche’ (scratching technique) and the white ‘ingobbio’ style ending in the Florentine technique which included calcium or limestone and resulting in a stronger texture and finish. The 13th and 14th centuries saw the Montelupo craftsmen using ‘boccali’ which was a white kind of clay glazed over with a deep and creamy finish that was so beautiful that there was no need for the decorative finish which is evident in the ‘bianchi’ (whites) from Faenza. A series of changes resulted in an innovation by the artisans of Florence who used ‘bistugio’ covered by the Montelupo white glaze that brought about the ‘archaic blue majolica’. This was accepted with much popularity as the blue pigment blended with copper oxide resulted in the effect of lapis lazuli with deeper dimensional aspects. Majolica was used in relief works as ceramics with enamel resulting in the ‘zaffera’ work which can be seen in the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore and Massaccio’s Brancacci Chapel.
The Montelupo Museum of Archaeology and Ceramics in 1989 discovered a Roman ‘villa rustica’ which goes back to the 1st century B. C. near the Virginio River. The ‘slave villa’ or the ‘villa schiavistica’ is a unique find on the Tyrrhenian coast, north of Tuscany. Spurred on by this discovery, the Museum authorities dedicated the two upper floors to house archaeological exhibits that trace the origin of the majolica from the 1400s and the history of the influence of Montelupo ceramics. The origin of the famous majolica is displayed in a collection of 3,000 pieces of ceramics from the early Middle Ages to the Modern Period. The floors display the Local Archaeology section (Prehistoric times, Etruscans, Romans) and the Montelupo Ceramics section, from the Middle Ages up to the 18th century. The panels on the walls describe the evolution of ceramics with an old ceramics furnace inspired by the craftsmanship and dexterity.
Francesco Antinori signed a contract with 23 masters of ceramics for three years with three unique typologies. The 15th century saw the popularity of the Montelupo majolica going overseas to reach out to the whole world. As incredible information, 90% of the archaeological finds of Montelupo majolica were found in Amsterdam, London and Southampton. Lorenzo the Magnificent’s majolica collection was described as rinfrescatoi, scodelle, piatelli and alberelli as ‘di terra lavorata a Montelupo, bella’ (made from clay worked in Montelupo). Francesco Antinori also contributed other forms of majolica, especially, ‘donò Francesco Antinori per la caccia’ (given by Francesco Antinori for hunting). The museum opens out the art of colouring in ceramics with ‘zaffera tricolor’, the ‘damaschino’ and ‘istoriato’ styles. The Valdarno ceramists created the beautiful Madonna and Child, two lovely angel candle-stick holders in the Robbia style. The Medici collection features two pharmacy jars with Cosma and Damiano. Two bricks are seen with the building mark of Henry IVth. As another interesting fact, between the 1611 and 1617, eight floor coverings of majolica were ordered by Maria de’Medici, Queen of France for her Louvre Castle and her palace in Luxembourg. The lovely orci from the Marni workshop in Montelupo was bought by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1974.
The major majolica centers and their beautiful ceramic collection is seen in Deruta near Perugia that is known for its Bella Donna plates, intricate designs with Luster and Ricco Deuta and Raffaellesco designs and is famous for its school of Majolica in Italy. Gubbio and Gualdo Tadino were famous for their firing techniques with a gold and ruby finish that resembles these precious substances and was popular among the wealthy people. Orvieto and Siena are popular for their Etruscan style and Dame plates with court figures with deep purple and brown effects and copper oxide. Firenze and Sesto Fiorentino, under the patronage of the Medicis and other noble families was rich in its talent and creations in Majolica. Urbino, Pesaro and Casteldurante were patronized by the Montefeltro family which nurtured the talent of the young Raphael whose master was Perugino and whose influence spread to the entire region. Faenza was the seat of the powerful Della Rovere family and it was during the 17th century that the Count Fermiani on his travels to the Orient was inspired by Chinese porcelain from which evolved the Carnation pattern. Montelupo has had a long and fruitful heritage in the creation of majolica.
