The old farm of Pietreto lies on a hilltop, 485m above sea level in the heart of Chianti, some 27km from Florence and 30km from Siena. These Chianti holiday rentals, two apartments each sleeping four, lie between the medieval villages of San Donato (3km) and Castellina (6km), in the centre of the Chianti Classico wine-growing area. The holiday apartments are surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, orchards and woods.
This is the perfect setting for a relaxing Tuscan holiday, with a tranquil location and lovely views. And yet the farm is perfect for visiting the major cities of art, such as Lucca, Siena, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano and Volterra. Then there are the nearby villages of the famous Chianti Classico area: Greve, Barberino Val d’Elsa, Radda, Gaiole, Tavarnelle and San Casciano to name just a few. With their abbeys and churches, farmhouses and villas, fortresses and castles, this is the picture you paint when you imagine Tuscany.
[ local map | map of region ]
The little village of San Donato, just 3km away from these Chianti holiday rentals, has grocers stores, a pharmacy and a doctor, a supermarket, two banks and a post office. There is also a filling station, wine merchants where you can taste the famous Chianti Classico, as well as a museum of country culture.
In the Romanesque church of Pieve di San Donato you can view the baptismal font in glazed earthenware by Giovanni della Robbia ... history and culture suffuses the environment here. Both San Donato and Castellina have a number of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. Nearby you’ll find a golf course, fishing, tennis courts and horse-riding stables. You can hire mountain bikes on the farm, and the surrounding gentle hills are full of shaded lanes, ideal for walking and cycling.
Pietreto comprises the main villa (the home of the owner) and a lovely old barn. The villa was built in stone in the year 1765, constructed on the ruins of an old spedale dei pellegrini (pilgrim’s hostel). This had been a resting place for farm labourers and travellers on pilgrimages. The farm has a long history. In 1495, the farm of San Silvestro was given as dowry by Anton Maria Gherardini to Francesco Bartolomeo del Giocondo, who married Anton’s daughter Lisa. Leonardo’s Mona Lisa is also, of course known as La Gioconda. Coincidence?
