Location: Barberino Val d'Elsa
Top Things to do in Barberino Val d'Elsa
Top Restaurants in Barberino Val d'Elsa
What to do and see in Barberino Val d'Elsa, Italy: The Best Places and Tips
Barberino Val d'Elsa is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Florence.
Restaurants in Barberino Val d'Elsa
1. Casa Sola - Chianti Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 114 reviews
Casa Sola Tour & Tasting is one of the best way to discover the true essence of Chianti. For those who would like to deepen their knowledge of the Chianti history, traditions and products we are delighted to offer professional guided tours and tasting. Introduction to the techniques of vineyard cultivation, the secrets of our cellars and the taste all of our wines and olive oil. Join our wine experience!
Reviewed By Hayley J - Liverpool, United Kingdom
We saw signs to the winery and thought we would try our luck. Luckily a lovely lady had the time to give us a small tasting of 3 wines and was very knowledgable and interesting. There was no charge for the tasting and we bought a lovely bottle to take home which we did not feel obliged to at all
2. Castello della Paneretta
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
The medieval castle and winery is situated in the Chianti Classico area on the western slopes of the Elsa valley, looking towards San Gimignano. In 1577 Ludovico Capponi restored the castle and commissioned Bernardino Poccetti, important painter, to fresco the loggia of the court. Production of wine is documented from 1596 on and until today we preserve the tradition and in our vineyards grow exclusively tuscan grape varieties which were used for high quality wines.
Reviewed By nanapapa-6 - Gaithersburg, Maryland
My husband and I booked the tour with tasting and light lunch. Chiara was our hostess; she is fluent in English, very welcoming and talkative. She passed along a lot of useful information on the tour of the wine cellars and the Gardens. We then sat down in a beautiful dining room for our lunch with 3 very generous pours of their best Chianti's. We both thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hours we were there -- Chiara's warm hospitality, the tour of the castle with info about its history and also the private Gardens. The food was delicious and we had ample time to savor the wines! A highly recommended experience!!
3. Barberino Val d'Elsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By PoserChic - Lanarkshire
OM G this has got to be the most beautiful place.. so quaint and the church is exquisite cannot recommend enough for a visit and it has the best leather store
4. Pieve di Sant'Appiano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy
This church, a few Kms from Barberino, is venerable both for its antiquity and for art features.
The church is well preserved; it shows a clear difference between the left side, which is the oldest (XI century) and the right side, more "modern" (XII century). The first is built by stones, with simple arches that rest on square pillars, the second is built by brick, with arches resting on columns decorated with capitals imitating those of Greek-Roman antiquity.
A small cloister is attached to the church, much altered but picturesque.
But perhaps the most surprising element is what remains of the Baptistery, in front of the facade of the church.
From the Baptistery the four main pillars remain: they are cross-shaped, and built of carefully cut stone, as if this church's accessory item (the place to be baptized, because according to the ancient liturgy the baptismal font had to be outside the church itself) was actually considered the most important, then to be emphasized.
At the entrance a sheet in a board tells the history of San Appiano, coming from Genoa and in the third century A.D. evangelizer of the Valdelsa region.
5. Castello di Monsanto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
This 395-acre estate was built on the exclusive production of its Chianti Classico Riserva and the true gem of the winery, the Chianti Classico Riserva II Poggio, considered one of the world's greatest red wines.
Reviewed By David B L - Los Angeles, California
You'll do well to seek out the Castello Monsanto winery of the Bianchi family and visit. Check your maps & GPS as entering is discrete - once driving inside the vast property you are amazed at the beauty of the Castle, vineyards, deep tunnel caves, aging areas and tasting room. Tasted top rated Chianti, Super Tuscan and surprisingly a wonderful Chardonnay. A special experience that you'll enjoy. ...
6. Semifonte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
On the hill of Semifonte, surrounded by olive groves and and vineyard, you can see today only one building: the Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo, built in the late 16th century in honor of the inhabitants of the Semifonte Castle, destroyed by Folrentines in 1202. Ita uniqueness is due do tact that it duplicates on a small scale the Brunelleschi’s Florence Cathedral dome.
Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy
We visited the site of the ancient city of Semifonte on a mild March day, in the context of a walking circuit, starting from - and arriving - the nearby Barberino town.
Having read the history of this ephemeral city (1181-1202), we were prepared to consider the Chapel of St. Michael (1597) as the only sign of the place where the town once stood. But we didn't expect that, for the rest, of the ancient city any other track hasn't remained, but just any; only fields, vineyards, olive groves, no remains of walls: really did Semifonte exist here?
After all, the much more ancient Greek or Roman buildings, even when they are destroyed, leave few traces.
But then we thought that the destruction of Semifonte by its rival Florence (1202) was not only a military fact: it was also a symbolic action: the prohibition to build anything, however small, on the site of the ancient city, it's an eloquent clue that they wanted discourage anyone from being opposed to Florence.
After all, the situation isn't much different in "Poggio Bonizzi", close to the nearby town of Poggibonsi: even there the Florentines - few decades after Semifonte (in 1270) - have scientifically destroyed every remnant of the ancient city. The only thing that remains there is something that was below ground: the "hole" of the ancient cistern.
And again, the use of square stones torn from houses and walls of Semifonte was invaluable - the historical sources tell us - to create or strengthen the houses and the walls of the nearby Barberino. It's true that the Florentines had to carry them at a distance; but it is also true that the stones were already processed, so ready to be deployed.
In short, everything has conspired to leave only the memory of this ancient town .
The walking track that we followed to reach and return from Semifonte is described into the website "borghiditoscana": it's only in Italian, but easily translatable. Achieve it - without hurry - can almost fill a day, and allows you to appreciate both the fascinating story of the "lost city", both scenic views of the Chianti and Val d'Elsa.
Tip: carry your packed lunch!
7. Osservatorio Polifunzionale del Chianti
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
The Polyfunctional Observatory of Chianti (OPC), located in the locality Montecorboli, San Donato in Poggio, home comprises to 4 observatories: environmental, astronomical, meteorological and seismic. The structure, made jointly by the municipalities of San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Barberino Val d'Elsa, was inaugurated in 2010 by Margherita Hack. Today the Observatory is fully functional under the management of the Museums of the University of Florence. The Research and Training Centre was inaugurated Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli July 7, 2013. The OPC is a facility dedicated to scientific research, training for adults, teaching and dissemination. The OPC is open to the public with events, courses, conferences, open days and visits by appointment.
Reviewed By Gwenhivir - London, United Kingdom
Amazing visit. The tour was excellent and very informative, our guide Emanuele was really passionate and happy to answer our many questions. Highly recommended.
8. Giardino SottoVico
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
The "Garden SottoVico" thanks to the enthusiasm and tenacity of a group of citizens who turned an illegal rubbish dump into a beautiful garden with two greenhouses which shelter hundreds of Cactus plants in an extraordinary museum of living sculptures. We offer this enchanting space as a comfortable and welcoming meeting place. Creative spirit, individual differences, communication and relational freedom for everyone are all valued here. The 'Giardino SottoVico' is a therapeutic and educational environment for the coming together and entertainment of children, adults, senior citizens, schools, disabled people and residents of sheltered housing.
Reviewed By Laura S
Small place. Would not use the word parc, but more a big garden. It was beautifull. And especially nice if you like cactuss
9. La Ripa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Eugene N - Richmond, Canada
Great wines of various types including vin santo (you will for sure buy a few bottles).
Great history (Mona Lisa's father gave this winery as dowry for his daughter’s wedding). Great people (you will never forget Sandro Caramelli, fantastic and colorful person who knows everything about wine in every region of the world and who will answer your questions with pleasure).
Tip: less than a mile of paved road, passible for any sedan.
10. Antiquarium di Sant'Appiano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By aldo ursea i - Agliana, Italy
Particolarmente importante e' l’idolo in arenaria che rappresenta il dio Eros a cavallo di un animale (chi dice un topo chi un cane o un procione) rinvenuto durante la demolizione del Battistero antistante la pieve avvenuta nel 1805
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