Castello di Meleto
by Chris Lord
Title
Castello di Meleto
Artist
Chris Lord
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
Our last stop in Tuscany was a beautiful castle winery in Chianti. We had a great tour of the interior and a wonderful lunch accompanied, naturally, by a tasting of several of the local excellent Chianti's
The Castle of Meleto is first documented as a possession of the monks of the nearby Badia a Coltibuono in the 11 C. The first vassal of the Castello di Meleto seems to have been a certain Guardellotto, but he was stripped of all of his possessions as a result of a difference of opinion with the Emperor Federico Barbarossa. The latter then entrusted Meleto to the local Firidolfi family who were already in possession of several other castles of the area. This was the origin the branch of the Firidolfi known as "di Meleto" while another branch of the family, known as the Ricasoli Fibindacci, soon became prominent in the history of this part of Chianti, based at their castle at Brolio.
The Castello di Meleto was strategically very important for a number of reasons. It was very near the border between Siennese and Florentine territory, and was, indeed, the last Florentine fortification in this direction. It is located on a hill that dominates the important road running between the Val d'Arno and the Chianti valley, and hence also became one of the principal fortifications of the terzieri of the Chianti League which consisted of Gaiole, Radda and Castellina.
Uploaded
August 25th, 2019
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Comments (9)
Chris Lord
A huge thank you to Romuald Henry Wasielewski who has very kindly awarded a FEATURE to this image in the group "GLOBAL ARTISTS GALLERY"
Chris Lord
My sincere thanks to REBECCA MALO for her generous award of a FEATURE for this image in the group "CONTEMPORARY"
Chris Lord
I'm happy to mention that JULIE GRIMSHAW has kindly awarded a FEATURE to this image in the group "YOUR STORY OF ART" Thanks so much Julie
Chris Lord
A great deal of thanks to EVIE CARRIER for kindly awarding a FEATURE to this image in the group "OLD MASTERS - PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL ART"
Meg Shearer
It feels like it's straight out of a book. Wonderful castle and gorgeous shot Chris. I love the framing.
Chris Lord replied:
It truly was a fairytale location both inside and out. Plus the food and WINE were awesome! Thanks very much, Meg.