Tuscany: Montecatini Terme, Elegance and Style

Thermal "Tettuccio" @ Montecatini Terme (Pistoia, Tuscany)

Welcome, my friends!
I'm so proud to have you here, in My Own Italy and to introduce you to the most famous Spa in Italy: Montecatini Terme!

Thermal "Regina" @  Montecatini Terme

Montecatini Terme is a town in Tuscany in the province of Pistoia, in the Valdinievole; it is a so famous and popular spa thanks to its water-chloride-sodium phosphate, recommended for the treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases.

Moreover, it is located in a strategic position for those who want to visit Tuscany: in fact, you are half an hour from Florence, Lucca and Siena too!

Thermal "Tettuccio"

Already in Roman times the therapeutic qualities of the waters of Montecatini were known: the "garden city" that enchants the visitor with its beauty made ​​of picturesque boulevards, an oasis of greenery and flowers, artistic beauty, serene stillness and warm hospitality.

Leopoldina Water: purifying!

The waters of the thermal baths originate from one basin hydro-mineral that is found at a depth of 60-80 meters, the water is bacteriologically pure: carefully studies from a physical-chemical and clinical pharmacology confirm that they have extraordinary health benefits and on the body!

Thermal "Tettuccio"

Thermal Tettuccio  is considered the symbol of the city and its glorious past. 


Thermal "Tettuccio", entrance

It is the oldest plant of the Baths, and is a real distillation of elegance, and it is known as "the temple of European Spas".

The Park in Montecatini Terme nearby the Spa

The grandeur of the building and the richness of the decorations that characterize the interior are the highest expression of spa town of Montecatini.

I suggest  you also a relaxing walk in the park, which covers an area of ​​420 thousand square meters!

I had a great time there ... try this out and let me know your opinion!


Carlotta @ Thermal "Tettuccio", Montecatini Terme

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Ciao, Carlotta!

Tuscany: Montecarlo, and its Fortress of Cerruglio

The Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Tuscany)

Hello my friends!
Happy to find you again here in My Own Italy  to Discover Italy with My Personal Touch!
Today I suggest you a gem in Tuscany, in the middle of the way of Wine and Olive Oil: I'd like to introduce you to Montecarlo.

Montecarlo (Lucca, Tuscany)

Montecarlo is a small village located at 162 m above sea level, on a hill overlooking the surrounding plains, between Lucca and the Valdinievole.
 

Montecarlo was founded in 1333 by the future Emperor Charles IV of Bohemia, to which it owes its name (in latin: Mons Caroli).

Due to its extraordinary strategic importance, since its foundation, Monte Carlo was the scene of battles between Pisa, Florence and Lucca, for the domain of Valdinievole and Lucca.

Lucca authorities decided to move the town at the top of the hill on which stood the Fortress of Cerruglio.

Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Italy)

The fort played a strategic role in the wars of the fourteenth century: the fortress was enlarged by Lucca themselves first and then by the Florentines, especially Grand-ducal government which, since 1437, had finally Montecarlo under its control!

Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Italy)

In 1775 the fortress was broken up by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo and sold at auction. 


Since then  it became a private property; the fortified complex is covered by the owners of ongoing works of conservation and restoration.

The Garden inside the Montecarlo Fortress (LU)

The fortress is open to the public during the summer months, its renovated rooms and courtyards host exhibitions and cultural events.







If you would like to know something more, why don't you follow me on this interview?
Enjoy!


 

If you want to take your rest in this magic place, I suggest you to stay at Casa Fontanino : you'll find more information on my page Where To Sleep!

Ciao,
Carlotta!

Montalcino: The Fortress and The Famous Brunello Wine

The Fortress of Montalcino (Siena, Italy)

Hello, my friends!
Welcome in My Own Italy, happy to let you discover Italy with My Personal Touch!

Today I'd like to tell you something about one of the most famous land of wine: Brunello di Montalcino .

Montalcino (Siena), The Fortress

Montalcino is located on a hill about 600 meters to the right of the Orcia river, about 40 km south-west of Siena, in Tuscany.
Origin of the first Etruscan and then Roman.

 
Its strategic location on the ancient Via Francigena was such that Montalcino rapidly acquired the structure of the military city with great defensive walls, numerous towers and the beautiful fortress that, despite the many sieges, was never conquered.
 

 

 Became a free city under the Guelphs, Montalcino fought almost all the wars of the Middle Ages is and Ghibelline factions and against both the nearby Siena until 1361 when it was granted to Montalcinesi Siena citizens.

The Fortezza was built in 1381 by Domenico di Feo and Mino Foresi and incorporates part of the walls and towers of the previous century.

 

Montalcino, The Fortress

The plant is irregular pentagon with slender corner towers. Inside, the spacious courtyard is now used as a theater for shows and cultural events.

Montalcino and Its Brunello Wine

Montalcino is known even (and mostly!) for the production of the Brunello Wine:  Brunello, a diminutive of "Bruno", a male given name which means brown, is the name that was given locally to what was believed to be an individual grape variety grown in Montalcino.

Wine Testing in Montalcino (Siena, Italy)

Brunello di Montalcino is made 100% from Sangiovese.

The Sangiovese grape is the most widely planted grape in the Montalcino region and is the only permitted grape in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. 

Wine Shopping in Montalcino (Siena, Tuscany)

The particular clones of Sangiovese are unique to the Montalcino region and have developed in adaption to that area's specific terroir. 

Geraniums in The Fortress

The altitude and climate of the Montalcino region has provided an area where Sangiovese ripens more fully and consistently than anywhere else in Tuscany!

I hope you will enjoy this so famous italian wine... 

I'll wait for your suggestions and comments!

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Ciao, Carlotta