Description
Country villa with swimming pool and tennis court in Colline di San Miniato - Tuscany
The village of San Miniato is located on a hill not far from the Arno River between Florence and Pisa, which fought for supremacy for centuries. The origins of the village, which is famous for its exquisite white truffles, date back to Etruscan and Roman times. Over the centuries, the castle has hosted numerous important personalities, including Frederick I and Pope Gregory V.
In the Middle Ages, the town known as San Miniato al Tedesco experienced a heyday: Otto I made it a center of imperial administration in 962, while under Frederick II it played an important role in the collection of taxes for central Italy from 1218.
San Miniato is also one of the stops made by Archbishop Sigerich on his return journey to Canterbury and therefore one of the historical stations along the Via Francigena.
Places of interest in San Miniato
Frederick II's castle rises on the hilltop, which formed the end of the defensive fortifications: the ruler had the tower of San Miniato built here between 1217 and 1221, which became the symbol of the town.
The 13th-century cathedral stands out for its unique façade decoration, which is made up of a series of majolica bowls depicting the constellations of the Great and Little Bear.
Also worth seeing is the monastery of San Francesco, which was donated to the saint by some noblemen from San Miniato while he was staying at the nearby Abbey of Santa Gonda.
The church of Santo Stefano e San Michele, which was built in the 12th century over a private chapel belonging to the Mangiatori family, stands out among the sacred buildings in the village. In addition to beautiful glass mosaic windows and Dilvo Lotti's frescoes, it has a wooden cross by Pietro Cavallini (15th century) and frescoes by Domenico Brogi depicting the four evangelists.
San Miniato is rich in churches and palazzi worth seeing, including the Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso, the Oratorio del Loretino, the church of Santissima Annunziata, the church of San Iacopo e Santa Lucia, the monastery of San Domenico and the Palazzo Vescovile.
In the surrounding area
At the foot of the castle of San Miniato there is a district where various traditional crafts are located: There are Montopoli and Calcinaia, for example, where ceramic production and Buti, where basket weaving were important, while Santa Croce and the surrounding area are known for leather processing.
If you want to take a trip to the sea, the coast with the seaside resorts of the Terre di Pisa is not far away. In Marina di Vecchiano, very close to the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Nature Park, you can stroll along a sandy beach that stretches from the mouth of the Serchio to Torre del Lago Puccini.
Country villa with swimming pool and tennis court in Colline di San Miniato - Tuscany
This splendid country villa with swimming pool and tennis court, dating back to the early 19th century, recently renovated and set in a large agricultural estate of about 16 hectares. The villa consists of a stately entrance hall, large kitchen with dining room and direct access to the garden and the beautiful loggia, 2 large living rooms with fireplace which are connected, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms as well as storage rooms, laundry room and utility room. The garden of approx. 10,000 m2 is fenced, while the rest of the property comprises approx. 600 olive trees, 5000 m2 of vineyards, forest and undeveloped land.
Further information on specific request.
