Tourism and travel
The farmholiday in Tuscany
The farmholiday in Tuscany is characterized mainly by farm houses carefully restored, the generality of holiday sites is completely surrounded by nature, vineyards and olive groves, with stunning views of the surrounding hills which represent the imaginary of quiet and tranquillità.L in Tuscany It is a positive example for all the landscaping plan and territorial around the world. It preserves treasures that have marked deeply the natural beauty, the identity and diversity of an incomparable environment having an immense economic and cultural value. The stay in the countryside of Tuscany is an opportunity to learn about monuments known and not so famous that are widespread in the region. You can find the traces of the Etruscans who made Tuscany their base to win the heart of Italy, the remains of the Roman Empire and the testimonies, scattered everywhere, of medieval communities. Just think of the abbeys and country churches that sink their story in a distant past, full of events that have profoundly marked the cultural and social identity not only of the region but of the entire continent. The stay in the old farmhouses surrounded by nature and is associated with admirably combines the proximity to the city beautiful and full of life, the quiet of the countryside is accompanied by the presence of numerous folk and cultural events that meet the needs of the most discerning traveller. A holiday in Tuscany is also enlivened by the friendliness of the Tuscan people known for his wit and sagacity.
PARISH CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA ASSUMPTION AND JOHN THE EVANGELIST AND THE BELL TOWER OF CASCINA PISA
Located near the center of the ancient medieval walls, the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta and San Giovanni Evangelista is mentioned in documents dating back to 750. The current arrangement dates back to the eleventh century,the church made of blocks of verrucano presents a gabled facade.
The interior, with basilical layout, is punctuated of monolithic columns to form the three aisles. To the north, adjacent to the church, there is the Sacrament Chapel built in the late seventeenth century in late Baroque style. The chapel was initially separated from the church by a cemetery area. Inside the Chapel, is a nice painting by School of Lucques dated by end of XVII century representing St. Catherine of Siena .
The importance of the church and its rectory function is mentioned in a document dell'876, which speaks of the plebs paptisimalis Cassina.
The façade made of Verrucano stones is punctuated by five arches and enriched by cruciform and square inserts in slate and Carrara marble .
The church contains several valuable works. These include a terracotta sculpture of the Madonna and Child attributed to the artist Benedetto da Majano and two frescoes, both dating from the fourteenth century.
Of particular interest is also a baptismal font of white marble embellished with rams' heads. Separated from the church stands the massive square bell tower (XII century).
The castle of Vicopisano, was built around the year one thousand because the position of the place allowed to control the Arno Valley.
Vicopisano has always been fortified position of the border between the territories of Pisa and Lucca
In 1138 the castle was acquired to the possessions of the bishop of Pisa and became a crucial military stronghold in organizing the Republic of Pisa . The Pisan army repeatedly rejected attempts by Lucca’s army to conquer the important stronghold, which remained under the control of the maritime republic until 1406 when it capitulated after an eight-month siege by the Florentines who shortly afterwards also conquered Pisa.
At that time the Arno River was navigable and passed under near the walls of the town.
After the conquest of Pisa The Florentines gave mandate to the great architect Filippo Brunelleschi to strengthen the fortifications of Vicopisano who acquired the current status. The stronghold consists of a bastion than fifty feet from the side situated in the highest point of the village. In the west corner is a square tower 31 meters high overlooking a wall that connects the tower itself to one of the towers of the city walls, the Tower of the Selvatici, and the circle the castle walls interspersed with square and semicircular towers. The access to the fortress was via a drawbridge now disappeared.
In later centuries, failed the strategic importance, the fortress of Vicopisano was first abandoned and then became private property.