December 11, 2016

Pieve of Santa Maria in Spaltenna

Pieve of Santa Maria in Spaltenna/Gaiole in Chianti
Siena, Italy

"Gaiole in Chianti is a ...(municipality) in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of Florence and about 15 kilometres (9 mi) northeast of Siena. The American magazine Forbes named it number one in its list of "Europe's Most Idyllic Places To Live."

"Each year in March, a professional bicycle race is held, known as Strade Bianche in reference to the white gravel roads of the Sienna region. In October there is a public event, using many of the same roads, for vintage bicycle enthusiasts known as L'Eroica. This starts and finishes in Gaiole including a full week of festivities. " (Link 1.)

"In the Middle Ages, a pieve was a rural church with a baptistery, upon which other churches without baptisteries depended. " (Link 2.)

"The parish church of Santa Maria in Spaltenna - Pieve di Santa Maria a Spaltenna - is mentioned as early as 1030 in some scrolls of the Abbey of Coltibuono. It is a Romanesque church, with three naves and apse. Its walls and tower bell are entirely made of limestone.

"Next to Pieve di Santa Maria a Spaltenna you’ll see an ancient farm that belongs to the church. Today, Pieve di Santa Maria a Spaltenna is the property of the Ricasoli family." (Link 3.)

Photos: Taken in  Italy on iPhone by RW while  at the 2016

                 L'Eroica  Classic Bike Race in Tuscany, Italy.
Link 1:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaiole_in_Chianti

Link 2:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieve

Link 3:  https://www.stay.com/siena/attractions/49586/pieve-di-santa-maria-a-spaltenna/

                                                                      Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)