Tuscan Walking Paths
ChiantiOver the centuries, tracks and pathways developed as land was cleared for agriculture. The historic importance of this connection to neighbours farms, fields, the fattoria, church and village still resonates as strongly today. The enjoyment of fresh farm produce, sharing and discussing food and a long history of family working the land is felt very strongly walking their pathways. The paved country roads lined with stonewalls are probably medieval. In Roman times, each village or parish was responsible for a stretch of road. Inevitably, medieval roads followed many of the ancient routes already established by the Etruscans. As time passed, the importance of roads changed with patterns of use.
Etruscans: In both the Chianti Pathways and Hilltown Gems of Southern Italy we get a chance to explore Etruscan sights.
The origin, of these ancient people is unclear. By the 8C BC the Etruscan civilisation had established itself. Etruscan power was at it’s height during the 8C to the 4C BC. Quite apart from being seafarers with trading connections across the Mediterranean, the Etruscans settled and influenced other peoples in the Italian peninsula.
Their unity lay more in language, customs and religion than in political power. They did not create a centralised state but rather held together in a loose confederation of twelve main cities. Florence was one of the twelve. This proved a weakness and the Romans conquered them in the 4C BC. The Romans did not displace them and their religion was respected.
Outside Castellina in Chianti the Etruscan tomb Montevalvario contains four sizable burial chambers which face the cardinal points. Discovered in 1507 and excavated at the beginning of the 20C. Tomb robbers were at work before restoration. The tomb is very interesting although a little run down.
For more information on the Etruscan civilisation
http://history-world.org/etruscans.htm
For more information on Via Francigena visit
http://www.viafrancigena.com/fra_fr_e.htm
Worth Reading
Vanilla Beans and Brodo and Bel Vino by Isabella Dusi
Magnificent…really gives you a sense of the place. “Independent”.
Great background for all three walks. Isabella gives you a real feel for living in a Tuscan village. Isabella is an Australian married to an Italian and has now lived in Montalcino for over 10 years. www.vanilla-beans-and-brodo.com
A Florentine Death by Michele Giuttari
“The first novel by real-life police Chief Michele Giuttari. It offers a fascinating insight into both the beauty and darkness of everyday life in Florence”.
A Death in Tuscany by Michele Giuttari
Introduced to Via Walking by Rosemary May 2008
A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena de Blasi
A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena de Blasi
“Marlena de Blasi has been a chef a journalist, a food and wine consultant and a restaurant critic. Honest, sensitive and delicious”.
The Concise Gastronomy of Italy by Anna del Conte
“ 200 receipt section: an introduction to the origins and history of Italian food; an A-Z of ingredients and a glossary of terms and techniques”.
Late Season by Christobel Kent
Set in Chianti. “An atmospheric and compelling whodunit” Joanna Trollope
The Cardinal’s Hat by Mary Hollingsworth
“The Cardinals Hat is a fascinating story of how Ippolito d’Este, the second son of Lucretia Borgia, became the Archbishop of Milan. Based on his letters and ledgers recently uncovered in the basement of an archive in Modena Northern Italy”.
“Gomorrah Italy’s other Mafia” by Roberto Saviano.
“A reporter’s investigation of Neapolitan organised crime”. “An international bestseller”.
Any of Donna Leon’s fictional thrillers are fun to read especially if you have visited Venice or intend to. Starring Commissario Guido Brunetti.
- Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon. Winner of the CWA Macallan Silver Dagger.
- Acqua Alta by Donna Leon, her fifth novel.
Previously Mentioned
- Italian Neighbours by Tim Parkes
- Travelers’ Tales, Tuscany
- 50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped The World by Peter D’Epiro & Mary Desmond Pinkowish
- Iris Origo War in Val d’Orcia An Italian War diary 1943-1944
- Treading Grapes by Rosemary George
- Leonardo Da Vinci, The First Scientist by Michael White
- Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
- The World from Italy, Football, Food and Politics by George Negus
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