Monte Oliveto

A wonderful abbey in the Crete Sinesi area not far from Buonconvento near Montalcino is Monte Oliveto. A working Abbey it is full of amazing Frescoes of the life of Saint Benedict.

The entrance to the grounds of the abbey. The Abbey of Monte Oliveto (Mount of Olives) Maggiore is a large Benedictine monastery about 30 minutes north east of Montalcino.  Over the entrance arch is a terracotta depicting Madonna with child and two angels attributed to the Della Robbia family, as well as the St. Benedict Blessing nearby.

Saint Benedict blessing all arrivals from the other side of the entrance. The abbey was built in the 14th century and is perched on the crest of a hill. It opened in 1320

Walking down toward the abbey from the entrance. It is surrounded by extensive lands which are used for agriculture and viticulture.

At the end of the descent is the bell tower, in Romanesque - Gothic style, and the apse of the church, which has a Gothic façade.

On entering the abbey you come to the Chiostro Grande ("Great Cloister"). It is designed on a rectangular plan and was realized between 1426 and 1443.  Under the vaults of the cloister are frescoes of the Life of St. Benedict painted by Luca Signorelli and Il Sodoma, considered amongst the most important Renaissance artworks in Italy.

The frescoes disposition follows St. Gregory's account of Benedict's life. Signorelli's paintings were executed in 1497-98, while Sodoma's date to 1505 afterwards.

As a working abbey it has the neccessities of life. Here is the dining room ready for lunch

The ceiling of the dining room with amazing frescoes

For washing hands at the entrance to the dining room.

Amazing frescoes on the wall of the dining room.

The library, which has a basilica plan with a nave and two aisles divided by columns with Corinthian capitals (1518). Nearby is the Monastic Library, housing some 40,000 volumes. From the library is the access to the Pharmacy, housing, in 17th century vases, a collection of medicinal herbs.

 

A monk preparing the tables for lunch

The grand square inside the abbey

Inside the church adjoining the abbey

One of the many alters of the church

From the Abbey leading down into the wine cellars

Fine wine maturing in large oak barrels

Monte Oliveto is a must see in Southern Tuscany. It is in amazing condition.

Ciao

Alan e Carolyna

Sunday lunch inTuscany

We have always loved Sunday lunches in Italy. Full of families, friends and laughter.

So last Sunday a special friend invited us over to her vineyard just outside the town of Montalcino. Her wine label is Aglietta

Here we are with Patrizia, Alan and Richard just relaxing under a canopy of vines.

Richard, Carolyna and Patrizia. Patrizia is a wonderful cook and owns a fabulous vineyard just outside Montalcino.

Entrance into Patrizia's house

and a leisurely drive after lunch past the sunflower fields

and the rolling Tuscan hills

A beautiful summers day....it doesn't get any better than this.

Ciao a tutti

Carolyna e Alan

Italian Restaurant - Montalcino - Boccon di Vino

If you want a genuine family restaurant, steeped in tradition with wonderful Tuscan food then Boccon di Vino just outside the town of Montalcino is it. 

The views are the best I have seen from a restaurant overlooking the beautiful Tuscan Valley of Val D'Orcia

The menu is typical Tuscan with favourites including Pinci and Cinghiale



We went there on a balmy Friday night in July

The setting is just fabulous for the romantic couple or the larger groups

It has a fabulous wine list with classic Brunello from current and early vintages. Here is the page with the father of Brunello, Biondi Santi

We selected a San Polo 2007 which was expertly opened and served

And of course not forgetting the food which was very good. We especially appreciated the aged pecorino with the Brunello

So ciao from Montalcino and Toscana

Carolyna e Alan

The rose sellers of Rome

Okay, I have an infatuation with the rose sellers of Rome.

Usually found in Piazza di Spagna or Piazza del Popolo they have a unique and quite often successful sales technique.

Firstly with roses in hand they will select a couple and target the female.

With rose extended they will offer a rose to her.

If she initially decides not to take it they will then say "a gift for you"

They will continue this tack of giving it to her as a gift.

Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

If she does take the rose the seller will stand back a little observing them.

After a short while he will approach the male and utter some compliment like "your lady is beautiful or you are a lucky man"

The rose seller will then ask the man for some money in good faith..."whatever you like to give".

Usually the male will give something (being in a state of shock) or say no.

The seller will keep at him until he either gets some money or the rose is given back

Master salesmen.....but beware....do not accept gifts from strangers

What a difference a week makes in Montalcino

The following pictures are from the same place in Montalcino. The only difference is one week. The top picture was taken on the 17th February and the bottom picture on 24th February.

Snow, snow and more snow in Montalcino

Snow in the home of Brunello, Montalcino

 

Upon our arrival in Montalcino we were excited to find a winter wonderland of beautiful snow.

We are told that this is not a regular occurrence and many winters will be without snow

Whilst difficult for local business and traffic the scenery was just spectacular

Looking over the Val D'Orcia. Normally the view is a patchwork of green vineyards, olive groves and ploughed fields

Looking toward Pienza and Montepulciano

Yes these are vineyards.

The snow in the last week has been very intense.

The beautiful Val D'Orcia

We expect the snow to be gone within the week and primavera (spring) to emerge

Ciao e baci a tutti

Carolyna e Alan