Why visit a truly tuscan village on the Pisan Chianti hills

Tuscany is a worldwide famous holiday destination and for many this is represented by a few iconic places of this beautiful region, but there are lots of little areas, country villages, small hamlets that need to be explored and appreciated for their culture, history and tradition, one of these is Terricciola.

Terricciola's village origins are Etruscans as witnessed by the numerous tombs and artifacts found in the area two centuries ago, which testify the settlements since the 4^th century B.C. Most of these finds can be seen at Center for Archeological Documentation in the close by village of Capannoli.

Of recent discovery is a large Etruscan necropolis with origins dating back to the 4^th century B.C. containing several chamber tombs underneath the present-day Piazza Matteotti.

Many documents from medieval times attest the 13^th and 14^th century fortifications, and its name Terricciola comes, as a matter of fact, from the latin “Turris”, the defensive towers of the village, while the defensive complex originated near the Church of San Donato and the rectory was the highest portion of the fortress.

The older part of the village is characterized by orthogonal little alleys radiating from the center towards the peripheral old walls. Polycentric brick arches and terracotta decorations geometrically designed feature with originality the oldest houses.

Terricciola with more than 500 hectares of vineyards in its territory is a valuable member of the Wine Towns National Association, and the vine varieties cultivated, typically tuscan, such as Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Malvasia and Cilegiolo, bring to the masterly production of excellent wines like Chianti DOCG, Chianti delle Colline Pisane DOCG and Bianco di San Torpè DOCG. The event of Grapes and Wine Festival in September of every year is an appointment not to be missed.

Worth the visit are the Sanctuary of Madonna di Monterosso, the ancient Badia Camaldolese of Morrona with beside the 12^th century romanic Church, Villa Gherardi del Testa and Villa Cempini Meazzuoli, the hamlets of Soiana and Casanova.

With the help of a professional “friend” guide like the local tour operator “Arianna & Friends” visiting the area and enjoying the typical products, or joining their tuscan cooking school, can be the perfect way to live an interesting fulfilling holiday through the perception of the local way of life.

The Chianti from Pisa district

We are in the province of Pisa, the area of Casciana, Chianni, Palaia, Lari, Peccioli, Terriciola, and Fauglia, looking east we find Florence,  north there is Lucca, and to the south  Siena and Grosseto.

Here is cultivated the vine that gives birth, thanks to the skill of his winegrowers, climate and soil characteristics, to the DOCG wines of great quality Chianti Colli Pisani.

The ruby red wine with a majority of grape variety Sangiovese reflects the harmony and character of the hills from which it comes from, the territories where nature and human endeavor distinguish a product of high quality and value throughout Tuscany.

From the time of Barone Ricasoli, "father of Chianti", to this day, little has changed in the way of conceiving this noble wine that tuscan farmers produce with passion in compliance with the specifications that encode its essence.

Without anything to envy to other areas of Tuscany that in the public opinion are intended as "Chianti", we can say that this territory offers, with equal dignity and merit, atmospheres and landscapes of pristine beauty, tradition and culture, art and gastronomy, hospitality of its inhabitants who are proud of belonging to a unique land.

Thanks to its valuable characteristics Chianti Pisano is visited every year by tens of thousands of tourists coming mainly from abroad, who from early spring to late autumn are on holiday in these areas, where accommodations range from historic luxury villas to comfortable holiday homes, bed & breakfasts, farmhouses and hotels.

Here tranquility and relaxation are undisputed, and travellers can also choose the activities that most interests them between visits to wineries to taste the Chianti and other typical wines, extra virgin olive oil, tastings of typical products such as meats and cheeses.

Considerable success are achieving typical Tuscan cooking classes, which are held either in well equipped farmhouses or directly to the address of the visitor, it is also quite common to come across along streets and alleys, individuals or small groups of people, from the apparent non-local look, which equipped with a map or gps navigator device, explore the area on foot or by bicycle, whilst there is a large participation for horseback riding or off-road vehicles excursions, rides on a Vespa, and golf playing .