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Profile
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 "Ubi amat plus quam ubi animat". Oasis of peace, where the incontaminate nature, with its age-old trees, spans the hearts which Beethoven described in his Pastorale. Place of volcanic nature, emerged from diluvian waters., Montignoso offers an unequalled view, which never sates. With that clear sky making a present of the far seaview. The sun comes and warm every day, while the morning fresh air comes to appease the nights. It is an isle of beauty where the sound of silence becomes joy of living. |
 The property of about 9 hectares, amid secular trees, incontaminate air, pleasant climate, is a very isle of beauty and peace. The high walls in stone on the front, as well as the strong enclosure around the whole wood - kept as a park - and the internal road, running across the whole estate, garantee an absolute privacy, where relaxing or walking, lulled by a gentle breeze after being enchanted by one of the most charming view. The estate consists of an elegant villa with its lovely dependence, recently restored in ist original style as an exclusive residence for guests. The style is elegant and tasteful, but absolute sobre in its elegance The villa is white coloured, with grey finishing touches that frame windows and doors, while the dependence is a typical hard stone building. |
 On the top of a hill, 650 meters above sea level, Montignoso is located in an absolute beautiful area, between two of loveliest medieval towns of our region: San Gimignano and Volterra. 30 km away from Siena, 45 from Florence, 35 from Pisa, 50 from Lucca, 60 from the seaside. Not far from Certaldo, Boccaccio's hometown, and from Castelfalfi, Montaione and Gambassi Terme, gracious little towns, mounted, as precious jewels, in the green hills of an unequalled countryside.
The history of Montignoso
On 3rd March 1145, Pope Celestino II called it "Castellare" - Castle - of the noblemen from Volterra. Set on the top of the highest hill between San Gimignano and Volterra, it had been known for centuries as the "Mons Igneus", that is the"mont of fire", for during the Middle Age the fire, lighted on that mountain, indicated the inhabitants of San Gimignano that Volterra's assaults were getting close. |
 In 1186 the Emperor Arrigo IV gave to Ildebrando - Bishop of Volterra - one half of Montignoso Castle, while the other one was surrendered to the Republic of Pisa, although the noblemen, and among them Tignoso di Lamberto, sticked to Florence. On the 15th of mai 1199 Montignoso became a Common of Nobles, dependent on San Gimignano that, in 1235, took possession of the Castle, while the seven noblemen called Tignosi were taken prisoner and closed in the parish church's palace. In 1260 the Bishop of Volterra, proprietor of the "episcopal table" - as the name of the rights over the ecclesiastic benefices - allowed the Florentines the use of the little Castle. Up to the end of 1700, the Castle has been the object of several conquests, since it has always represented a strategic point between San Gimignano, Volterra and Pisa. Only in 1881 Montignoso knew a temporary peace, when it was assigned to Castelfalfi. Ten years later a sentence from the Council of State made it an hamlet depending on the small town of Gambassi Terme. The rest is recent history: in the castle stands out the Romanesque parish church, near by two little houses, an immense wood and a villa, the story of two families. |
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