cent.
CASTLE of VINCIGLIATA
On the outer wall are a number of commemorative plaques to eminent sojourners, including such names as Queen Elizabeth and Beatrice, Battenberg, Hohenlohe, Hohenzollern and the Duchess of Russia.
The castle was little more than a ruin when in 1855 John Temple Leader bought it, and much of the land and a large number of crumbling farmsteads and churches in the neighbourhood, and set himself the gruelling task about restoring all of his property.
BEGINNING YOUR WALK
When you get off the bus in Piazza Mino da Fiesole look up towards the Town Hall, the Municipio, at the east end above the town car park. Before setting out, stop to observe the remarkable display of heraldry on the façade remembering the Podestà, and visit the church of Santa Maria Primerana.
Facing the church, take the narrow lane at the extreme right. This is Via Giuseppe Verdi. Look for the sign on the wall to the right
PASSEGGIATA PANORAMICA
while on the left is a red and white mark indicating
CAI-ITIN-1
SETTIGNANO 1 h
COMPIOBBI 2.30 h
Our walk now begins. The roads and paths ahead are copiously way-marked with these red and white CAI blazes.
The tight little lane climbs fairly steeply for a few minutes between villas and houses of refined composition and artistry until it levels out at the top. Don’t be too ambitious. Enjoy a relaxing leisurely pace. On the right is dramatic view over Florence and the background towards the Chianti hills – a