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Theatres, Galleries and Sanctuaries in Casltelfiorentino, Tuscany

The Teatro del Popolo, facing the tree-lined Piazza Gramsci, is the only 19th century theater remaining in the Valdelsa. It was inaugurated in 1867 with the “Norma” opera by Bellini.
Not far away is the Church of S. Francesco, notevole a noteworthy example of Franciscan architecture of the 13th century with its high terracotta facade adorned with the coats of arms of local families.

In the vicinity stands the Sanctuary of Santa Verdiana entirely refurbished in the 1700’s, according to the designs of Giovani Battista Foggini, on the remains of the antique parish church of Sant’Antonio where the saint retired in hermitage for 34 years, until his death was announced by the bells that rang on their own. The structure consists of a unitarian example of Baroque Florentine architecture and decoration, with its facade by Bernardo Fallani (1771) and its frescoes (1708-1717) by a group of Florentine artists who recognized Giovanni Camillo Sagrestani as their maestro. The cell where the saint is buried is evocative. The attached Pinacoteca (picture gallery), along with it precious illuminated codes, houses paintings by Taddeo Gaddi, Taddeo di Bartolo and Francesco Granacci.

In via Tilli, at the Centro Culturale Comunale are the Vallesiana Library and the Municipal Art Collection, with detached frescoes and sinopites by Benozzo Gozzoli and aid from the Madonna della Tossa (near Castelnuovo d’Elsa) Chapel, with “Stories of the Virgin and Christ” (1484), and from the tabernacle of the “Visitation” (1490). The two large tabernacles, both commissioned by Ser Grazia di Francesco, who was the Prior of Santa Maria in Castelnuovo d’Elsa, brought the expression of the Florentine Renaissance culture to the Tuscan countryside.

The Cambiano Villa, which stands on the remains of a Medieval castle purchased in the 15th century by the Florentine merchant Bernardo di Giovanni di Domenico Cambi, has also maintained the elegant and imposing aspect of representation through Renaissance and 18th century restorations, offering hospitality to numerous illustrious guests. The nearby church of S. Prospero (13th century) was enriched, under the patronship of the family, by donations, among which, paintings currently housed at the Picture Gallery of Santa Verdiana.

The Meleto Villa, with its beautiful baroque park, was purchased by the Ridolfi family in the 17th century and then transformed into the first school of agriculture in Italy until 1843.

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