The medieval village of Barberino Val d'Elsa

Barberino Val d'Elsa is a delightful medieval village located in the Chianti area, in the heart of Tuscany; the Chianti area is very particular, and contains the most characteristic Tuscan landscapes: in fact, here we can find both wonderful hilly expanses full of cypresses, and more rugged and rocky landscapes. For years Barberino has been the orange flag of the Italian Touring Club: a symbol of quality and hospitality in the areas of the Italian hinterland. The origins of the village date back to the destruction of the city of Semifonte (city of Ghibelline pride) in 1202 by the Florentines, and its development is mainly due to its happy position: the village was in fact located halfway between Florence and Rome, in the heart of the Strada Regia Romana. On the place where the old town of Semifonte stood, in 1597, the dome of San Michele Arcangelo was built by Santi di Titto, which reproduces that of the Cathedral of Florence on a scale of 1: 5. In fact, the Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo represents a memorial of Semifonte. Surely the most flourishing period of the village is with the Barberini, an important family of the area. The village is surrounded by medieval walls, and can be accessed through two gates: Porta Fiorentina and Porta Senese.