Loc. Pievescola - 53031 Casole d'Elsa (Siena) Italy - tel. / fax :0577 96.00.71 mobile phone: 333 - 697.59.79 / 320 - 68.74.794 

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F Home Page ; aktuelle Position: Pievescola -> Marmoraia

 


Visualizza Pievescola-San Chimento-Scorgiano-Marmoraia-Pievescola in una mappa di dimensioni maggiori

The road lined with old stone walls follows the northern face of the Montagnola. It remains a
little apart from the main traffic of the Val d'Elsa and offers evocative scenic views.

The street

On the left in the distance the peaks of the Mensano hills rise into view
and in the further distance you can see Casole.

Mensano and Casole

The fields of grain alternate with stands of Turkey oaks and Ilex trees...

The fields of grain

...and evocative vistas of flowers.

Vistas of flowers

Nearby the farm houses the intensive cultivation of grain gives way to grape vines and fruit trees...

The cultivations

...and peaceful Olive groves.

Olive graves

Folowing a pattern typical of the farm management in Toscana, share farming .

A metayage

The Villa San Chimento is a building dating from the end of the 16th.C. In the painting by Romagnoli sketched at beginning of 1800's you can clearly see a clock in the centre which has disappeared.

Villa San Chimento

The main building fronted by an italian style garden has a central structure and two lateral wings.

San Chimento

Soon after the villa you arrive at the tiny Santa Fiora church which dates from 1103.

Church of Santa Fiora

The building has been extensively rebuilt with the addition of three apses in the shape of a cross.
The original element of the church is the stone wall decoration on the right of the church.

Church of Santa Fiora

The Chapel of Scorgiano erected in 1667 was commissioned by cardinal Antonio Bichi who is entombed in the chapel in memory of his investiture as Count. The Chapel was consacrated in 1742
and by 1743 had already been decorated.

The Chapel of Scorgiano

It is interesting to note the intimate connection between the architectural design and
the plaster and painted decoration.

 

The Chapel

The façade is decorated on both sides of the entrance with two large frescos depicting
the history of the life on the Virgin, which continue inside.

The facade of church

Still visible on the right side of the façade is the Visitation.

The visitation

The principal altar is richly decorated with gilded wooden carvings, which
are repeated on the two, lateral columns .

The principal altar

Fresco

Fresco

 

Fresco

The vegetation in the woods of Montagnola is rather dense dominated by Iles trees and Turkey Oaks.

The vegetation

In some places the intricated pattern of the trees given way to ordered chestnut groves.

The trees

In some places the road leaves the woods and offers suggestive views of the Val d'Elsa.
The panorama extends away from the hills of Mensano to Casole...

Scorci sulla Val d'Elsa

...and to the towers of San Gimignano.

 

San Gimignano

In the higher parts of the road there are places which face the order slope of the
Montagnola, from which it is possible to see Siena in the distance.

Siena in the distance

The bell tower of Marmoraia appears in the middle of the vegetation. This locality, perhaps
derives its name from the nearby rives which supplied the marble which was
used in the building of the Cathedral of Siena.

The bell tower of Marmoraia

First documented half way through the 11th.C the settlement is a good example of a fortified Parish Church. Of it's defences there are impressive remnants which include long tracts of the high walls.

Fortified parish church

On the right of the façade there is a lenght of wall with sloping base on which is a rough stone breastwork, probly added at a later date and which has also served as a cistern at one time.

The facade

The parish church of Santa Maria and San Gervasio at Marmoraia was constructed in the 12th.C. and extensively rebuilt in successive periods. The design is tipical of the basilican style with
three naves, divided by arches which rise up from simple quadrangular pillars.

The parish church of Santa Maria and San Gervasio

On the simple façade it is possible to make out the traces of what must have been the original shape. Of the four elongated windows only the two central windows must have been original.

The facade

Originally there must have been three apses. It's possible that the lateral ones were demolished
at the time of the raising of the corresponding naves.

Apses

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