Barberino Val d'Elsa explained

Barberino Val d'Elsa
Coordinates:43.5333°N 21°W
Comune:Barberino Tavarnelle
Region:Tuscany
Metropolitan City:Florence (FI)
Area Total Km2:65.98
Population Total:4403
Population As Of:30 April 2017
Population Demonym:Barberinesi
Elevation M:373
Saint:St. Bartholomew
Day:August 24
Postal Code:50021
Area Code:055

Barberino Val d'Elsa is a frazione of Barberino Tavarnelle which was until December 2018 a sovereign comune (municipality).

Barberino Val d'Elsa is located above the valley from which it takes its name. The centre of town is still ringed by its original fortifications.

Main sights

The Piazza Barberi includes the which houses a fragment of an annunciation by the school of Giotto (14th-15th century) and a bust in bronze by Pietro Tacca.[1]

The Via Francesco da Barberino, named for Francesco da Barberino, leads to the 14th century Porta Senese (Sienese Gate), and the Ospedale dei Pellegrini (Pilgrims' Hospice) dating from 1365.

The Church of Sant'Appiano was built during the 11th century (part in stone) and 12th century (part in brick) and now includes the Antiquarium Museum housing various Etruscan artefacts from the many necropoli in the area, the village of Linari, the Castle of Poppiano at Vico d'Elsa and Petrognano.

The Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo was built in 1597 by Santi di Tito as a perfect 1:8 scale reproduction of the Cupola of the Cathedral of Florence. It was constructed on the site of the ancient city of Semifonte, razed to the ground by the Florentines in 1202. The site remains a focus for archaeological study.

The noble Barberini family dynasty began at Barberino Val d'Elsa in the 11th century.

Twin towns

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Barberino Val d'Elsa - A brief history . 2010-08-30 . 2012-03-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120311004435/http://www.barberinovaldelsa.net/english/turismo/storia.html . dead .