The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo



132. Castello di Celsa

Open Gardens and Courtyards

Today many villas, gardens and castles in Tuscany are opening their very substantial gates to the general public for free!



I've decided on this rather spectacular castle just south of Siena. It's an hours drive an a bit tricky to find. Eventually I happen upon the tiny town of Sovacille and spot some cars parked up down a long drive... bingo!

The Castle dates from the 13th century and was refurbished in the 16th century and the Italian gardens replanted and restored to their former Rennaisance glory after the second world war.



It's a balmy spring day and the extensive grounds are beautiful. I've brought my sketch pad and relax on the rug and put it to some good use. The castle is covered in ivy and some pretty yellow spring flowers carpet the lawns. I enjoy a couple of hours in this truly paradisaical setting...



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