The best running trails around Cavriglia

Near km 50 ritual photo

The medieval village of Castello di Albola stands on top of the splendid Chianti hills, in an incomparable place for the charm of history, for the suggestions of art and for the unique agro-landscape context of unsurpassed harmony. Throughout its history, this jewel of Chianti has belonged to the most noble Tuscan families, from the Acciaioli to the Samminiati, from the Pazzi to the Ginori Conti. Since 1979 it has been owned by the well-known Zonin family of Venetian winemakers. The complex is not to be confused with the real castle of Albola, a fortified settlement that stands nearby, on the sides of Mount Querciabella. The wine estate, completely surrounded by vineyards, welcomes visitors by offering them the opportunity to immerse themselves and savor the terroir through guided tours of its historic cellars. There is also a wine shop with wine shop and two beautiful residences for an unforgettable Tuscan experience: Villa Le Marangole and Villa Crognole. www.albola.it HISTORY Of Lombard origin, the site was donated in the 11th century by some local laymen to the Archbishop of Milan Arnolfo II, but upon his death it was divided into various farms, under the jurisdiction of the Monterinaldi. Around 1480 the lordship of Pian d'Albola was acquired by Agnolo Ludovico Acciaiuoli, a member of an important Florentine family. Proceeding with various unifications, between 1514 and 1522 the farm unit expanded, becoming a large agricultural company. In 1636 the property passed by inheritance to the Samminiatis, thanks to the marriage of Caterina Acciaiuoli (the only heir) to Ascanio Samminiati. In the eighteenth century the Pian d'Albona became the favorite residence of the new family, who in those years promoted the reconstruction and embellishment of the existing building structures, creating a real villa with a large park around it. Upon Ascanio's death in 1759, the properties passed to his only daughter Camilla, who had married Giovanni Camillo de' Pazzi. Upon the woman's death, the assets were administered by her husband in the name of the children until his death in 1773, when the entire estate merged into the vast possessions of the Pazzi family. In 1861, with the last legitimate heir Gaetano married to Eleonora Torrigiani, the villa passed to one of his daughters married to the Cumos. This family followed the fortunes of the estate until 1940, when it passed to the Ginori Conti, and subsequently in 1979 it was purchased by the Zonin group. Traces of the medieval constructions remain incorporated in the perimeter walls, while the building of the Acciaiuoli farm was demolished in 1739 to build the chapel dedicated to San Giuseppe, with a still existing bell tower on the roof of the villa. The latter shows the harmonious proportions imbued with classicism typical of the rural residences of the Florentine aristocracy of the time. The main facade shows a portal in the center arched and surrounded by ashlars, with four axes of rectangular windows arranged on two floors up to the eaves (with stone architrave), beyond which there is a third service floor and two corner turrets in unplastered stone and with arched windows. Above the portal also stands a coat of arms of the Ginori family and higher up, among the turrets, is the aforementioned bell gable of the chapel. The latter is located to the left of the main facade and has friezes on the portal with an irregular tympanum. The interiors are arranged symmetrically around a central corridor, despite some subsequent tampering, such as the opening of an arch in the dining room area. In the basement, dating back to the Acciaiuoli era, there are vaulted cellars. The French-style garden is characterized by a long central avenue flanked by evergreen trees and framed by statues.