- The four hamlets: Montieri, Boccheggiano, Travale, Gerfalco
- Montieri: the glorious past of Montieri is due to the incredible wealth of its subsoil; the village was a medieval minig castle where silver and copper were extracted. The town conserves to this day the medieval atmosphere; worth to see are the beautiful Romanesque Church of St. Giacomo, the mysterious Canonica di San Niccolo, the centuries-old chestnut wood “Il Piano”, the panoramic viewpoint on the top of the Montieri´s hill, where you can enjoy the breath-taking view from Monte Amiata up to Corsica island. In 2014 Montieri becomes a “Green Village” in terms of environmental development: private and public buildings are warmed up through a geothermal-sourced district heat. This innovative heating requirement provides higher efficiencies using renewable energy.
- Boccheggiano: its history is also deeply linked with the mining activity: untill 1994 was active one of the biggest pyrite-mine in Europe. Worth visiting is the 14th century Church of St. Sebastiano, entirely renovated and expanded in the 18th century; it contains the marmor statue of St. Sebastiano by Bartolomeo Cellini, who collaborated with the well-known Bernini. Thanks to the vastness of the chestnuts-woods, the old tradition of chestnuts dessication in the old so-called “seccatoi” is till followed up to these days. From the traditional processing is obtained flour, base for many traditional (and not) recipes. In the village you can see an active traditional dry kiln and taste delicious products in the small shops of the hamlet.
- Travale is the town of the italian language: the historical archive in Volterra still conserves the old parchment called “La Guaita di Travale”, a 1158 document which contains one of the first statements of the italian vernacular. In the old town a plaque celebrates the birth of the Italian Language. In the sorroundings of Travale there are numerous power stations using the wealth of geothermical energy that the subsoil offers. The steam is also used to warm up big greenhouses where plants and flowers are grown. Nearby you may visit a botanical wonder: the Gigantic Dogwood (Cornus Mas). The centenary tree is one of the official monumental trees.
- Gerfalco is a charming village at the foot of the mountain Cornate. In the past it was also an important mining seat. Gerfalco is situated in the area of the natural reserve “Cornate e Fosini”, and it is a perfect starting point for the various trails all around. In the village you can find the offices of the natural reserve. Very suggestive is the “Festval delle Viole”, a high-grade classical music festival where the viola plays a leding role.
- Our Farmhouse is in the area of the Tuscan Mining Geopark, recently recognised Unesco world heritage. This area presents a verdant vegetation, breath-taking landscapes and evidences of geological, mining and metallurgical activities from remote to modern age. The park covers six municipalities of the Colline Metallifere. Visiting the most important places, you can experience the long and complex geological evolution of the whole area. In every municipality there are gateways of the park. They offer various services: information about the sites, informative and educational material, maps and tourist information.
- Canonica di San Niccoló – Deep in the wilderness resides an ancient flower-shaped church, one of the most unique churches of Italy and one of the most famous tourist attraction of Montieri. It is considered to be one of a kind for its six petal shape and beacouse to this day archaeologists are still investigating the series of founds, many of them are still shrouded in mystery. The origin of the complex was linked with the mining activity: between the 11th and the 14th century Montieri was one of the most important copper and silver mining center in Tuscany. The site can only be visited within a guided tour. Information and booking at the tourist office in Montieri
- Abbazia di San Galgano: the gothic Abbey of San Galgano and the Montesiepi hermitage are ca. 10 minutes by car fom our farmhouse in direction Siena. 1180 the knight Galgano decided to expiate here his sins and stuck his sword in a stone to use it as a cross and no longer as a weapon. This mysterious symbol is still conserved in the Montesiepi hermitage, a wonderful small romanesque Church. The Abbey, few meters away, has nowadays neither roof nor campanile but the evocative atmosphere makes the ruins of Saint Galgano are one of the most visited medieval monuments in Tuscany
- Hiking: The CAI trail network embraces the wohle territory of Montieri and crosses the trails of the Geopark. Recommended a visit in the natural reserve Cornate e Fosini, in the surrounding area of Gerfalco. Maps of the trails are available at the tourist office of Montieri or in Massa Marittima.
- Il Giardino dei suoni: in few minutes from the farmhouse you can visit the magic “Sounds Garden” (reservation required). The famouse german artist Paul Fuchs choosed the countryside in Gabellino for his installations: gigantic sculptures made of wood and metal which move and give off sounds through the wind!
- “Le Roste”: the red badlands on the river Merse, are a clear proof of the mining activity in the area. These red mountains are the result of the mineral process and the activity of the atmospheric agent occurred during the 19th century. Such process gave life to this unique Geosite.
