Montescudaio

THE AROMA OF FRESHLY BAKED BREAD

For a little more than nine centuries, my stones have rested upon the soil of this village where the rosy terracotta roofs are blissfully perched around me. Sprawling vineyards cover the rolling hills of our DOC. I lower my gaze and look down upon the vast sea, where often I can admire the islands of the Tuscan archipelago, and at times even Corsica. I have seen history unfold and witnessed firsthand the stories of noble families and wealthy landowners, such as the Della Gherardesca, Ridolfi, and Lorena. And, in the early ‘700s, I was endowed with a beautiful clock whose hands began to mark time in this little community.

The ancient city walls embrace the plaza square in front of the Santa Maria Assunta Abbey, a huge terrace with breathtaking panoramic views whose bell tower keeps time with its melody. There is a slow rhythm to the days along the village streets. The aroma of warm bread, freshly baked in rustic wood-fired ovens, wafts through the air, and during the months of harvest, mingles with the scent of grapes fermenting in wine cellars. From here the countryside stretches in all diretions; guardian of the extraordinary remnants of the past: relics of the 17th century, the 11th century Monastery of the Benedictine nuns, and the arches of the ancient roman aqueducts. Every evening I am the last to see the sun set on this slice of heaven and every morning the first to see it reborn, and I will never tire of this privilege.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN ITALY

Formed around the Monastery of Santa Maria of the Benedictine nuns, Montescudaio became an important village in the Middle Ages due to its strategic position. It was surrounded by imposing walls, some as high as fifteen meters, from the Castle square with the Tower of Guardiola and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Montescudaio enjoys such a panoramic view that you are lost among the roofs covered by Tuscan tiles, rows of vines, fruit and olive trees, until your gaze meets the islands of Gorgona and Capraia and the northern point of Capo Corso. Moving through the cobblestone streets of the town center, you can meet the palaces of the noble families.

Suspended between land and sea, Montescudaio is included among the most beautiful villages of Italy. But it is not only the beauty of the place that makes it special: here the food and wine has a specific relevance. From the wood-fired oven comes the simple bread that accompanies or is an integral part of the dishes; just think of the chicken liver crostini, ribollita, jellies, soups of bread and beans or chickpeas. Montescudaio is rightly known as the City of Bread. Its high quality extra virgin olive oil also makes it the City of Oil, and as a City of Wine even boasts its own DOC. Festivals and events are the perfect time to discover this area and its products.

TOURIST OFFICE
MONTESCUDAIO MUNICIPALITY
Via della Madonna 37
Tel. +390586.651631
montescudaio@costadeglietruschi.eu