A walk from Sant'Ellero

A walk from Sant

'Ellero

Starting from Sant'Ellero train station, this walk is about 8km, taking around 2 hours, depending on how many stops you make to take in some of the beautiful scenery around you.

Use caution – This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths. Starting at the train station Via Aretina, 80, 50060 Sant'Ellero FI, Italy. Map - Walk from Sant'Ellero 

Crossing the road from the station, follow the road opposite (seen here on the left of the photo).

Just a little way up, you will start to see the views across the surrounding hills. Follow this road for about 2kms.

Here are some views that you will see along the way...

 

 When you reach this junction (after the 2kms - sign for Località Fontisterni) turn left.

Follow this road up the hill for about 1.5km

 

After about 1.5km you will reach another junction (below):

For the walk we suggest, carry on straight ahead. However there is the possibility of an extended loop (either 0.8km extra or 2.2km (see our google map link) if you take the road on the right (below).

Taking the road straight ahead, these are the views up to the next junction.

When you arrive at the junction (above) take the road on the left (view below). If you followed the alternative loops, the 0.8km route will bring you back to this junction coming from the road on the right, and the 2.2km loop will bring you back here, coming from the road ahead.

Follow this road as it slopes down back in to the valley for about 2kms.

 After 2kms, you will reach this point (below). Take the track on the left.

 

After 540 metres, the track splits - follow on to the right hand side.

 Soon you will be walking through some olive groves, to some vineyards.

 Follow the track for 120metres, and then follow round to the right.

 The track will eventually open out to this view (above). There is a house on the right, and follow the track on the left for 930 metres, back down to the main road.

 450 metres down, the track comes to a T junction. Turn right.

 When you arrive back at the main road, turn left, and follow the road back to Sant'Ellero train station for only 200 metres. Please be careful walking this stretch as the road can get busy, but there is a good verge to walk along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help the restoration of the Pazzi Chapel! #CrazyforPazzi

Crazy for Pazzi! Restoration of Pazzi Chapel Loggia at Church of Santa Croce

 

550 years have taken their toll on this structure and its decoration. The loggia of the Pazzi Chapel requires urgent restoration to stop further deterioration. Opera di Santa Croce, the non-profit institution in charge of the church’s administration, has raised 50% of the funds needed to carry out this restoration, slated to begin in early 2015. Your support of the loggia’s restoration will help to raise the remaining amount. In so doing, you will become part of the 720-year-long history of Santa Croce.

 

The Pazzi Chapel is a landmark of Renaissance architecture in Florence, Italy. Located in the Santa Croce church complex, the structure was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi – the master architect who is most famous for engineering Florence’s beloved cathedral dome. The loggia in front of the Pazzi Chapel is a prime example of 15th-century architectural decoration in grey pietra serena sandstone, colourful maiolica and terracotta.

 

So, visit this site today and help with the project! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/santacroceopera/restoration-of-pazzi-chapel-loggia-at-church-of-sa?ref=nav_search

 

 

 

 

Fungi sott'olio - Preserved mushrooms

When mushrooms a pleantiful, that autumn harvest time and heading in to winter, using just one type or a combination - an easy, and tasty option is Funghi sott'olio - preserved in olive oil.

For 1kg of mushrooms: 500ml of white wine vinegar, with 250ml white wine plus some sage and rosemary, pinch of salt into a pan and bring to the boil. Add the mushrooms for 3minutes, then lift, pat part-dry, place in a jar with garlic, or chilli, or peppercorns, or all three. Add bay leaves if you wish. Then cover with olive oil.

Leave for 2-3 weeks, they will last for many months. Serve as an antipasto, crostini topping, mixed in a salad, or cook with chicken.

#porcini #mushrooms #recipe #food #italy #italian #kitchen #cooking #iloveitaly

Visit Tuscany in autumn

Visit Tuscany in the autumn, take a walk in the countryside, and you will get a chance to see the colour changes of the land and the season - in particular, the colours of the grape vines. Explore, discover, escape and refresh. We also got a mention as best of the day http://instagram.com/p/vvOmT7DBIZ/

A walk to Sammezzano Castle - SAVE THE CASTLE

A walk to Sammezzano Castle - a hidden Treasure of Tuscany that needs to be saved!

 

 

  

Visit www.sammezzano.org 

Sammezzano Castle - built in about 1605 by the Spanish nobleman, Ximenes of Aragon. In the 19th century, Ferdinand Panciatichi Ximenes inherited the property and, between 1853 and 1889, remodeled it into one of the largest examples of Moorish Revival architecture.
Unfortunately the castle is not visible at the moment, except on extraordinary occasions, and it’s hard to believe that this incredible building has been left in abandon (there is no electricity and water inside). At the moment there are no public openings planned, but the committee always tries to arrange visits in agreement with the owners. You can’t buy tickets in advance, but you can make volunteer donations.

Sammezzano Castle is surrounded by a parkland of 450 acres, one of the largest in Tuscany, and can access on foot.

Visit www.sammezzano.org and “like” the Facebook page “Sammezzano-comitato fpxa“, which offers update info about new opening hours. https://www.facebook.com/SammezzanoComitatoFpxa18132013?fref=ts

 

Areas in need of restoration/conservation

 

 

Some examples of decoration

From the train station at Rignano Sull'Arno Reggello (Trains Florence-Arezzo-Chiusi), there is a nice 4-5km walk, taking just over an hour, that wanders up through the hills and parkland of the castle.