Monuments to visit Toscane

Famous for its wine production in the heart of Chianti Classico, Château Ama became in 2000 - while continuing to produce and sell its wine and oil - a place of residence for contemporary artists. Among others, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Daniel Buren, Giulio Paolini, Anish Kapoor, Chen Zhen and Louise Bourgeois have succeeded each other. Visitors can enjoy a surprising stroll through ultra-modern works that blend in perfectly with nature.

Let us return to the wine part of this property, whose 175-hectare vineyard is located at a high average altitude. The Ama castello is not really a castle, but rather a village at the top of a hill that offers a superb panorama. This world-famous wine estate produces wines typical of the Tuscan terroir, such as its superb single-varietal Merlot, "L'Apparita", named after a small vineyard located just beside the residence. Finesse, straightness, freshness and elegance characterize Ama wines and reconcile amateurs rejected by the sangiovese. During the tasting, we were also impressed by their vino santo, a small masterpiece in the category of sweet Tuscan wines.

Within the estate, there is also a restaurant (Il Ristoro di Ama), located in an 18th century villa. A warm and historic place, perfect for tasting traditional dishes with the flavours of yesteryear, based on vegetables grown in the vegetable garden, and of course accompanied by the estate's wines.

A pleasant walk for the visitor, with a sad past. During the Middle Ages, death row inmates left prison under the Palazzo Pubblico, walked along Via dei Malcontenti (the "Street of the Dissatisfied") to Porta Giustizia. A few more steps and you arrive at Orto dei Pecci (open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:30 to 22:00), an area cultivated since the 16th century, with vegetable gardens, some animals, and offering a beautiful view of the Palazzo Pubblico and the torre del Mangia. "Per fare due passi", as the Italians say!

Located at the intersection of Città, Banchi di Sotto and Banchi di Sopra streets, the loggia della Mercanzia, an elegant building between late Gothic and Renaissance, once housed the Siena Commercial Court. Built between 1428 and 1445, this pretty portico is known for the statues representing the city's patron saints, which adorn its pilasters: San Savino, Sant'Ansano, San Vittore, San Pietro and San Paolo. On the sides, finely carved marble benches represent philosophers of antiquity.