| In order
to reach Barberino Val d' Elsa, if you coming from Florence take the Highway Connection
Florence-Siena (exit Florence-Certosa of the A1) and after 16 km take the exit to
Tavarnelle, follow the sign and turn on the left direction Tavarnelle follow this road for
approximately 6 km until you reach Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, from here following the
indications for Barberino (or Siena, Poggibonsi) others 2 km more and you'll reach
Barberino. Arriving from Siena exit to Poggibonsi North and then follow the signs for
Barberino (are approximately 8 km). |
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Barberino
Val d’Elsa is a fortified town situated high up above the valley from which it takes
its name, halfway between Firenze and Siena, on the north-western borders of the Chianti area. Entering
the borough through the southern gate, the 14th century Porta Senese (Senese gate), to the
left we find a noble palazzo: it is known as the Cardinal’s Palazzo and on its
entrance door there is a coat of arms with bees, that is, the one of the Barberini, Pope
Urban VIII’s powerful family. Proceeding along the main road, on the right we
encounter the beautiful Palazzo Pretorio, now the provostship of San Bartolomeo, with a
renaissance facade adorned with noble coats of arms belonging to the Magistrates up to the
XV century. The thirty-five coats of arms on the facade belong to the most important
families of Florence and are mostly made of grey stone. On the opposite side of the square
there is a building with a loggia that had the typical function of communal loggias as
public area for representation, meetings or even covered markets. The provostship of
Barberino underwent remarkable changes in the course of centuries until it was radically
transformed in 1910 by the Florentine architect Castellucci, who also changed the
orientation of the facade from the main square to the valley. An interesting remain of the
old church is the cross, sculpted and enclosed in a sphere of the architrave external to
the main door. Inside one can admire a few fragments of frescos dated XIV-XV century, a
bust in bronze of the Blessed Davanzato as well as his mortal remains. Near the Porta
Fiorentina (Florentine gate) we find the Ospedale dei Pellegrini (Pilgrim’s Hospice),
dating from 1365, in which there are some frescos and a tombstone. Recently restored, the
building now houses the rooms of the Municipal Library. A statue has recently been placed
in the square in front of the Town Hall, in commemoration of the fourteenth-century writer
Francesco da Barberino.
Hotel, B&B and agriturist near Barberino Val d'Elsa
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