...AND A TASTE FOR HISTORY

LEARN OUR HISTORY, LIVE OUR HISTORY 

The Molinello, which means “little mill” in Italian, is in fact a small medieval mill which dates back at least to 1356, when its existence was first documented. In addition to the opportunity to stay in one of the rooms that are part of the original structure, Elisa and Sandro will be happy to show you the grist mill itself (now located beneath a glass window on their living room floor). Over a glass of homemade vinsanto made by Elisa's father, we can show you all of the documents regarding the Molinello from the State Archives and share some colorful anecdotes from the renovation of the building.

If your interest in history stretches beyond this taste of the Medieval period and you would like to leap back another 2,000 years, you can visit the Molinello Etruscan burial mound right in front of our main gate. A circular tomb formed by a series of burial chambers, it represents the entire time span of the Etruscan civilization, from the seventh to the first century B.C. It will be Sandro's pleasure to illustrate what he knows about the tomb, as well as the travertine quarry found adjacent to our property.

For a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of the Etruscans, it is possible to organize a visit (with or without a guide) to the Palazzo Corboli Museum of Asciano where the archeological section of the museum houses documentation of the Etruscan settlements found in the upper valley of the Ombrone River as well as some artifacts found during the excavations of the Necropoli of Poggione and the Burial Mound of the Molinello.

The Palazzo Corboli Museum is also home to a sacred art collection (named by the Daily Telegraph "one of the 50 best small museums in Italy"). The collection includes fifteenth-century works by Sienese artists paying homage to their province. These renowned masters include: Giovanni Pisano, Segna di Bonaventura, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Francesco di Valdambrino, the “Maestro dell’Osservanza”, Pietro di Giovanni d’Ambrogio, Matteo di Giovanni, cheap air max and Giovanni di Paolo. Works follow the masters of the fourtheenth century, and share the common thread of commissions made by burgeoning aristocratic landowners.

For our history-loving guests, another opportunity is to join one of the free guided tours of Siena offered in collaboration with the Agriturist association, and available every Tuesday afternoon. 

Should you wish to go deeper in your study of the history, culture and landscape, we recommend an intimate full-day tour of the countryside, led by the friendly and supremely knowledgable Roberto Bechi (www.toursbyroberto.com).