Also see:
When we leave the Langhe we will stop in Tuscany for a night to break the drive and we have the pleasure of staying at
Villa Campestri in Vicchio di Mugello.
Villa Campestri is located in the hills of the Mugello area of Tuscany. It is a Renaissance Villa, the oldest part dating to the 13th century. It was originally owned by the noble Roti Michelozzi, whose family held the Villa for some 700 years. In 1989 it was sold and Paolo Pasquali and his daughter Viola run the Villa.
The estate is 350 acres planted with vineyards and olive trees. The rolling meadows and forests surround the property making this a very pleasant location.
The Villa is known for its excellent traditional tuscan cuisine, served in the dining room or on the outside terrace -- we have already made our dinner reservation!
We will leave the Villa Campestri and travel to the Castello della Castelluccia located just north of Rome. The Castello has been home of noble Italian families for some seven centuries. Originally built between the 12th and 13th Centuries, it has passed from family to family.
Castello della Castelluccia
Via Carlo Cavina - 00123 Roma
Website: www.hotelcastellucciarome.com
We hope to tour some of the Abbeys in the Lazio Region that are relatively near Rome. These include: Cassamari Abbey, Fassanova Abbey and the Anagni Cathedral.
The Abbey of Cassamari is a Benedictine monastery established at the beginning of the 11th Century. The Cistercians rebuilt the Benedictine structures at the beginning of the 12th Century to have the church and monastery follow Cistercian plans.
The Cistercian monasteries have very plain designs with the idea is that there decorations would not distract prayers. The abbey has delicate columns, a vaulted ceiling and small stained-glass windows.
Gregorian chants take place throughout the week as there are monks at the abbey.
The Abbey of Fassanova is another Cistercian abbey that dates from the 1100s. It is located not that far from the Abbey of Cassamari.
The first monastery was built by the Benedictines in 529 on the site of what was formerly a Roman Villa. It transferred to the Cistercians in 1135 and they built a new canal (fossa nova) to drain the land.
The new abbacy church began construction in 1163 and consecrated by Pope Innocent III in 1208.
The church and monastery are considered to be excellent examples of Cistercian architecture. Again the interior is very plain. There are also cloisters.
The Anagni Cathedral looks like a castle from the outside and inside is a cathedral with a crypt covered in medieval frescoes.
The cathedral dates from 1072. It is thought that craftsmen were brought from Byzantine to help build the cathedral. Popes have stayed here and articles indicate that Pope Hadrian IV died here. He chocked on a fly while walking outside!
the Crypt of St. Magnus has its walls and vaults covered in medieval frescoes. They were painted in 1237.
This collection of frescoes is considered one of the most important in Europe and visits to the crypt are escorted and take place each half hour.
When we arrive in Rome, our stay will be at the Albergo Ottocento and we are looking forward to visiting this hotel. We certainly look forward to have drinks and a meal on the roof-top terrace bar and restaurant.
The hotel, located on via dei Cappuccini is not far from Piazza Barberni and that means it is about a seven minute walk to the Trevi Fountain, or an 11 minute walk to Novelli. I have already written Marco to let him know the dates we will be in Rome.
Albergo Ottocento
Via dei Cappuccini, 19 00187 Roma
Website:
www.albergottocento.it
