BARBERINO VAL D'ELSA

Barberino Val d' Elsa is a fortified village situated on a hill over the Elsa River valley, the village is found half way between Florence and Siena in the north-western area of the Chianti. Entering in the old village through the south gate, Porta Senese (14th century), on the left we find a noble palace: called Palace of the Cardinal, on its door it's the emblema of the Barberini family, that of Pope Urbano VIII. Proceeding on the main road on the right it's the Palazzo Pretorio, now headquarters of the Propositura di San Bartolomeo, with its beautiful Renaissance facade adorns of 35 coats of arms of the magistrates dating back to the 15th century. On the opposite part of the square it's a loggia that in the past had the function of pubblic loggia. Inside the Church of Barberino, that was radically renewed in the 1910 by Castellucci architect, can be admired some fragments of frescoes of the 14th-15th century, a bust in bronze of the Beato Davanzato therefore a teca with his remain. For a wonderful panorama over the surronding hills of the Chianti it's advisable to stop at the lookout in the vicinities of the church, here are also a good pizzeria and a typical restaurant. In the vicinities of the Porta Fiorentina (the door to the north) is the Hospital of the Pilgrims, built in 1365, in which there are some frescoes and a grave. The palace, recently restored now accommodates the Communal Library. A statue has been recently placed in the square of the municipal palace, in commemoration of Francesco da Barberino, writer of 14th century native of Barberino.