La Canonica di Cortine stands among the centuries-old vineyards and olive trees of the land that separate Florence and Siena, in the heart of Chianti. This ancient village, surrounded by lush hedges and enchanting walls, houses 10 apartments and a Bed & Breakfast furnished with antiques and fine fabrics. The complex has a spacious garden and a private swimming pool.
La Canonica di Cortine History
On the top of a hill, in the Municipality of Barberino Val d'Elsa, there are a group of structures and a villa that have preserved the name of Castello di Cortine since 1037. Transit of crucial communication routes between Florence and the Roman Via Francigena, it found itself at the height of the bitter opposition between Florence and the bitter enemy city of Semifonte. In 1260, the People of Cortine, had to contribute with one of the most burdensome grain quotas to support the Florentine army engaged in the Montaperti campaign. The church of the village was enriched with beautiful works of art, four of which are now preserved in the Museum of Tavarnelle. Only in 1774, with the grand-ducal regulation, the People of San Lorenzo a Cortine was incorporated into the Community of Barberino Val D'Elsa.
The Villa is an admirable example of the architecture of that period of Lorraine, which holds the comparison with the most famous villas of the sixteenth century Medici; the beautiful structure is "intimately" linked to the agrarian needs, keeping within its walls the ancient oil mill.
Solving some problems of identification, scholars have established that the current church is the result of a nineteenth-century reconstruction, completed in 1850, while the bell tower is after 1880. What remains of the Castle of Cortine? It is possible that parts of its foundations constitute the impressive walls of the basement of the villa: it is in a thousand of these secrets the charm of the Tuscan Middle Ages, its eternal youth.
Guests can opt for a stay in the elegant Torre Vecchia Bed & Breakfast, where the attention to detail permeates every environment: rooms equipped with every modern comfort feature period furniture and fine fabrics, rich details that offer a unique experience.
Present then 10 apartments all independent to live a stay in complete privacy. Spacious and bright rooms, furnished with refined style, have their own garden, a private patio and a shared pool.
Another solution to experience the Canonica di Cortine is Villa Castrum, the elegant central structure of the complex also equipped with a large garden and a private swimming pool, while inside there is a large living room, a comfortable kitchen, a dining room a living room, double and single rooms, all equipped with modern comforts such as air conditioning, satellite TV and internet connection.
If La Canonica di Cortine is a privileged location for a holiday of total relaxation and serenity, it is the same for hosting events and ceremonies with a unique charm. The evocative setting of the village surrounded by flowers, olive trees and vineyards joins the spacious interiors and the consolidated experience of the staff, always ready to plan and organize every detail with its customers.