Posted By Mary Freeland on March 3, 2010

We know Wednesday’s are usually our food and style day. Today though we thought that we’d add in a bit of history and a nice wine to go with the ciabatta bread you are likely enjoying from our Monday post.

Let’s take a trip to Tuscany’s famous hill top city of Montalcino. This vibrant village is rich in history, color and traditions that evoke the very spirit of Tuscany.

Montalcino’s ancient name was Monte Ilcinus named for the “holm oak”. These oak trees of Montalcino have covered its hills and valleys dating back to prehistory. The live in harmony with sharing space with olive and chestnut trees. The hills surrounding the town are also populated with a grape vine, known most commonly as the Sangiovese Grosso. This bold grape produces a lush wine made famous by Montalcino, the Brunello.

The fortress, built in 1361, sits at the highest point in the town. Commissioned by the Lombards in 770 the picturesque Benedictine monastery, Abbey of Saint Antimo, served has a hotel for pilgrims traveling to Rome. Today the Abbey still stands beckoning travelers much as it did hundreds of years ago.

It doesn’t take much for one to imagine themselves lounging in the sunshine, enjoying a vintage Brunello and soaking up the history that surrounds you in this beautiful Tuscan country side.

Categories: Travel, Uncategorized, history
Tags: casa cristina, history, mediterranean, Travel, tuscan, Tuscany