Toscana. Rich, old, and full of charm. This is where legends aren’t simply told; they are rather hanging about, rolling into the richest vineyards and cradling the noblest cities of art the world has ever known.. Time itself is slow, flowing seamlessly into history. So, if you happen to be a supernatural being with a most discerning eye for prime real estate, where, precisely, would you reside? Right. For the happy few who appreciate an enduring legacy, a hint of the spectral, and the very finest of wines, these are some great Tuscan haunts.
Father of Chianti Classico, reveal your presence!
Ricasoli is the oldest winery in Italy. Winemakers since 1141 when the family acquired the magnificent Brolio Castle and the surrounding vineyards, the Ricasolis had the nose and the palate for creating good wines.
Talent and erudition run in the family, culminating with the one and only Bettino Ricasoli, known as the Iron Baron, who is the inventor of the famous formula for Chianti Classico in 1872. He took some 30 years to come up with the magical formula that still endures today, as powerful as the greatest poets’ verse, as memorable and everlasting as the capolavori of the Rennaissance. Too proud and forever hooked on his Chianti Classico, the Baron still haunts the vineyards around Brolio Castle, rather conveniently spotted on full moon nights by those truly intoxicated with the noble liquor.
The cruel fate of the temptress
Countess Matelda was a beautiful woman with an appetite. She took another lover each night and killed them the next morning. She was worth the fatal price, though, having tempted countless men over the years, until the women in the village rallied up to wall her alive in the very tower that hosted the nights of pleasure. It all happened in Castello Poppi. This castle strikes as remarkably similar to Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and it’s said to have been built by the same architect, Arnolfo di Cambio, who used it as a prototype for the later masterpiece. You can discover it a half-hour drive east of Florence, and see for yourself whether Matelda’s seduction endures inside the unusually alluring walls of the fortress.
The iconic cypress tree
The Tuscan landscape is defined by its iconic cipressi, gracefully lining the estates’ roads for centuries. What almost nobody knows is that this type of cypress tree is originally from Persia and brought here by the Etruscan tribes, who worshipped it because of its longevity and powerful scent. This species of cypress tree can live for 1000 years, grow 25 m tall and has a very strong, refreshing scent that permeates the air wherever planted. The Etruscans believed the cypress tree was divine, and used to plant it around their homes and burial places for good luck and abundance.
Volterra and the Volturi
One might assume the author of Twilight simply conjured the entire Volturi vampire clan from thin air. But for the happy few in the know, it’s quite clear where the true inspiration lies: Volterra itself. After sunset, this ancient city truly reveals its third dimension: outright mystery. Here, the whispers are of ancient families whose roots run impossibly deep, and of ageless creatures who, most surely, find twilight the opportune moment for their outings. And yes, for the happy few with a particular eye for such matters, their skin is indeed said to be as pale, fine, cold, and luscious as Volterra’s beloved alabaster – a rather chilling thought for your next dinner time stroll through Volterra, isn’t it?
The roofless church and the sword in the stone
Now for a truly enigmatic find: a church without a roof. Holy reverence, or darker forces at play?
Then there’s the matter of the sword, stubbornly stuck in a stone for some 800 years now. Witchcraft, or merely impeccable aim? Legend speaks of a retired knight who, weary of war, sought peace here centuries ago. In a deep act of devotion, he plunged his sword into a stone, turning it into a cross for prayer. It hasn’t budged an inch since – The happy few will surely appreciate the suspense.
