 HILLS |
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES |
|
|
LINKS |
|
|
USEFUL SITES |
|
|
TELEPHONE BOOK |
|
|
EDITORIAL STAFF |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
POPPI
In the municipality of Poppi you find the marvellous Eremo
di Camaldoli (the Hermitage of Camaldoli) and the small village
of Badia Parataglia, a summer resort in the middle of the
forest. A centre in order to visit the park is located at Badia
Parataglia and the village features many services. Poppi is dominated
by the well-preserved Castello Conti Guidi, a marvellous example
of medieval architecture.
|
|
Inside
the castle you find the Biblioteca Rilliana, with manuscripts and
incunabulum, the Chapel frescoed by Taddeo Gaddi and the permanent
exhibition on the Battle of Campaldino, which commemorates the famous
battle in 1289 when the Guelphs defeated the Ghibellines. In the village
you ought to visit the Oratorio della Maddonna del Morbo and the Badia
di San Fedele, built in the 12th century. The symbol of the Casentino,
the Hermitage of Camaldoli, is a charming hermitage-monastery
in the middle of the forest. San Romualdo built the first cells in
1012 on the top of the mountain and later on the monastery in the
valley, from which he founded the Benedictine order. One of the main
rules was the one to protect the forest which thus has been taken
care of since the Middle Ages.
In this landscape, the Monastery appears as an imposing and
powerful building. The architecture is sober but very defined with
a cloister, library and pharmacy. The rooms host inestimable artworks,
such as the paintings by Vasari which decorate the church, original
furnishing, precious majolicas and pharmaceutical items. The hermitage
is situated in an enchanting position and was the first centre for
the monks. In the centre of the building you find the cell of San
Romualdo and the Baroque Chiesa di Salvatore featuring stucco-work
from the 17th century and Renaissance terracotta. In the surroundings
you can see the monks’ cells, built between the 11th and the
17th century. Each hermit disposed of a portico, a small room, a study,
an oratory, wood-shed, a fountain and a kitchen garden.
Near Poppi you should visit the Castel San Niccolò,
famous for the picturesque castle which was owned by the Countess
Matilde of Tuscany. The powerful fortress still dominates the charming
village of Strada, located around the Romanesque Church of San Martino
at Vado and today restructured. Not far from the Castel San Niccolò,
you find the small village of Montemignaio in the middle of
the forest. Apart from the marvellous nature you might want to see
the Romanesque church and the Castello di Montemignaio.
|
|
 |
|
