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| The belvedere of the Borgo Pignano |
Sunday October 10, 2021
We enjoyed staying at the Borgo Pignano during our Tuscany trip a few years ago and wanted to return to the beautiful and relaxing location. The Borgo Pignano is a country tenuta (estate) located in Tuscany between the hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano.
A borgo is a small villiage from the medieval times that was built around a castle or palace that belonged to a noble family.
Borgo Pignano is centered in the middle of 750 acres of vinyards, farmland and forests. The main building is an 18th century villa, but the origins of the Borgo date to Etruscan times.
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| You can easily see the two phases of construction - the oldest part of the building is from the 1200's and the newer villa on the left, from the 1600's |
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| You know you've arrived at the Borgo when you see this sign |
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| On the left, the oldest walls from the 1200's (and the entrance); on the right, the herb gardens and walkways |
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| The entrance to the hotel is through this courtyard |
Official records of Borgo Bignano date from 1139, when the parish church, San Bartolomeo Apostolo was build. In 1214, a hospital was created which operated for more than 200 years.
In the 1600's the borgo was acquired by the Incontri family and Marchese Lucovico transformed it into a country seat. He built a large villa with a central courtyard. It became a working estate, with many tenant farms. After WW II, the local Pignano community, which had been around 60 people pre war, dwindled and the estate was eventually sold to the current owners, who have renovated it as a vacation destination and an organic farm.
The farm produces olives, cereals and grains, honey and herbs. It's vineyard makes three wines - a white, a rose and a red.
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| This building houses the original parish church (left) from the 1200s and the priests house (terra cotta colored) |
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| The rooms are in the new part of the villa (new-from 1600's!) |
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| Michael used this gorgeous heated swimming pool, build from their stone quarry, every day. |
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| The original stones and foundations date from Etruscan times |
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| Flowers blooming and fruit on the trees - at mid October! |
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| A second swimming pool for families |
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| Happy to be here |
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| An outdoor bar on the belvedere |
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| Easy to see the lovely hill town of Volterra, about 12 KM away |
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| Volterra |
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