Castles and Churches in Montespertoli in Tuscany
The nearby Castello di Montespertoli (Castle of Montespertoli) - today Villa Sonnino- belonged to the Ghibelline family of the Lords of Montespertoli and with the extinction of the family, passed along to the Machiavelli family who already owned almost two-thirds of the territory, and who endowed the majority of the churches in the area with donations of works of art.
The chapel of the castle became the first parish church of Montespertoli, then was substituted in the 1500’s by the Chiesa di Sant'Andrea (Church of Sant’Andrea), and rebuilt after its destruction in 1944. It preserves a 14th century triptych of the Florentine school and a 13th century baptismal basin with green marble mosaic.
In the surrounding area: the Pieve di San Pietro in Mercato (Church of San Pietro in Mercato) was consecrated in 1057, and maintains its Romanic aspect and feudal characteristics, among which, a crenellated tower. In the 14th century, it became a podestà seat and seat of a league formed by three parishes (San Pietro in Mercato, San Pancrazio and Coeli-Aula), having as a seal, the crossed keys of the Church of San Pietro, the lily, symbol of the subordination to Florence and the star, testifying to the authority of the Alberti Counts. Inside the basilica strutture with three nave and three aspes, there is a hexagonal shaped immersion baptismal basin, decorated with multicoloured marble mosaics (11th-12th century).
The Museo di Arte Sacra (Sacred Arts Museum) is located in the rectory with a collection of paintings, silver and displays grouped together for the churches and parishes of the area. Among the most important works are a “Madonna with Child and Saints Antonio Abate and Giuliano Martire” by Neri di Bicci, a “Madonna” by Andrea di Giusto (a 15th century artist influenced by Masaccio and Beato Angelico), a small “Madonna with Child” attributed to Filippo Lippi, a French enamelled copper plate of the 14th century. Fabrics and documents are preserved in a special dimly illuminated room.
The Chiesa di Lucardo (Church of Lucardo) is also of medieval origin: built on the remains of an Etruscan building, it was enlarged in 1098 and became papal court of the bishops in 1490. Two of Machiavelli’s sons were bishops there and one of them donated a wooden plate (from the 1500’s), attributed first to Ghirlandaio and then to Raffaello Botticini, depicting a “Madonna with Child on the Throne with Saints Peter, Martino, Giusto and John the Baptist” placed behind the main altar. Some – private – castles in the area demonstrate the presence of nobile families since the Middle Ages.
The Castello di Poppiano (Poppiano Castle), of Roman origin, has belonged to the Guicciardini family since the 13th century. The two original towers were rebuilt after the earthquake of 1811.
The nearby Chiesa di Poppiano (Church of Poppiano), built by the Guicciardini family in 1594, and endowed with liturgical furnishings, also underwent many restorations, especially after 1811.
The Castello di Montegufoni (Montegufoni Castle), built on the site of the Ormanni Castle (destroyed by Florence in 1135) belonged to the Acciaioli family, rich Florentine merchants. Niccolò Acciaioli, who became Grand Seneschal of Naples, was born here in 1310.
The actual, magnificent and princely aspects of the castle are due to restructuring in the 17th century: the enlargements desired by Ottaviano on the designs of Gerardo Silvani (1632) were followed by work by Donato, the son, on the north side, the gallery above the portico, the garden (which rivalled those of the villas of Petraia, Castello and Pratolino) with its fountains and caves ornated with stalactites, the internal decorations by artists who worked at the Uffizzi, the nobile chapel, enlarged in 1673, to host a collection of relics. The tower of 1386 was also restored, which brings to mind that of Palazzo Vecchio. In the 1900’s, it was purchased by the noble English Sitwell family, who ordered some symbolistic frescoes by Gino Severini. During the second World War, the “Primavera” by Botticelli and other works of art from the Uffizzi were hidden here.
In the nearby Chiesa di San Lorenzo (Church of San Lorenzo), of medieval origin, there are traces of the Acciaioli patronage in the wooden “Crucifix” from the school of Taddeo Gaddi (14th century), placed behind the main altar.
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