|
Castello Ginori of Querceto
is an ancient village, near Volterra, on the slopes of Mount Aneo in the
center of a large estate.
The origin of the village goes back to 1000 a.c., when it belonged to
the church of Massa Marittima.
Towards the end of 1100 the bishop of Massa Marittima transferred his
rights to the Abbot of Monteverdi.
In 1208 Querceto, together with the other castles of the Val di Cecina,
was yielded to the town of Volterra. In those days Querceto was very important
for its strategic position and for its many natural resources, first of
all the salted water springs. In its subsoil minerals could be found,
such as silver, copper, mercury and vitriol, all items much sought after
on the international markets in the Middle Age.
After two centuries in which many armed skirmishes and revolts took place
in and around Volterra, in 1430 the castle was occupied and pillaged by
the troops of Giangaleazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan.
In 1447 Querceto was conquered by the troops of Alfonso d’Aragona
King of Naples in war against Florence.
The 16th century was marked by the Florentine domination, because after
the conquest of Volterra the inhabitants of Querceto had to swear fealty
to the “Signoria” of Florence. It was during this period,
around 1543, that the noble family Lisci of Volterra got involved with
Querceto.
In 1786 the last Lisci’s descendant, Francesca, married Marchese
Lorenzo Ginori. After years of famine and poverty during the government
of the Medici dynasty, the Querceto conditions much improved, thanks to
the Ginori’s administration
In 1814 Carlo Leopoldo inherited from his mother Francesca the estate;
from then onwards the castle and the estate belong to the family. He made
many modern reforms in the methods of cultivation and was especially interested
in cattle breeding. In 1834 he built the bridge on the river Cecina near
the village of Ponte Ginori that connected the estate with the public
road of the Val di Cecina.
In the 20th century with Lorenzo and his son Leonardo the farming of
the land was much promoted and the estate became a model of agricultural
enterprise.
In these days the village is completely restored and typical rustic style
but comfortable holiday apartments have been made.
|
