Agriturismo: Launched the Canonica di Vicchiomaggio
Dr. Piero Valdiserra - January 10, 2008
At Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine production zone, the outstanding Castello Vicchiomaggio (Vicchiomaggio Castle) has been standing for a few centuries. Currently owned by John and Paola Matta, a few weeks ago the estate launched a new, evocative, Country Inn: the Canonica di Vicchiomaggio, or Vicchiomaggio Rectory.
Facing the castle, near the Santa Maria (Saint Mary) church, the Canonica di Vicchiomaggio features seven suites, each dedicated to a great Italian writer, artist, or scientist from the past, from Boccaccio, to Caravaggio, Cellini, Donatello, Galileo, Masaccio and Michelangelo. The Inn is perfectly equipped and each suite is tastefully decorated, with great attention to the finishing details and with great respect of the local traditions. The cost per night goes from €135 to €195, based upon the size of the suites.
By opening the Canonica, the Castello Vicchiomaggio increases the bed capacity substantially, and becomes more than ever a reference location among the upscale Tuscan agriturismos.
The Castello Vicchiomaggio dates back to the fifth Century and is located atop a hill overlooking the Val di Greve (Greve Valley), a strategic location back in the Middle Ages, when the castle played an important part in war and skirmishes between the nearby cities of Florence and Siena. During the Renaissance, the castle became a noble country villa, and reached its peak as a splendid residence. It was in that period that the word Maggio was added to the original name, Vicchio, to celebrate the May festivity known as Calendimaggio.
The Castello is mentioned by Leonardo da Vinci in his extensive works. In fact, the great art maestro spent some time as a guest there while he was working on his most famous masterpiece, the Gioconda, better known as Mona Lisa. Francesco Redi, a 17th century author, spent time there too, where he wrote his book Bacco in Toscana (Bacchus in Tuscany). Perfectly preserved, today the Castello Vicchiomaggio is officially a national monument.
The Castello has elegant apartments, refined restaurants, cutting edge meeting rooms, and a panoramic swimming pool surrounded by a perfectly cared-for Italian garden. Near the evocative nearby Santa Maria church, Castello Vicchiomaggio agricultural products, with the well known wines leading the list, offers a variety of products and services to tourists and wine and food experts. Now, in addition to all this, the Matta family has added the wonderful Canonica di Vicchiomaggio.
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