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San Gusmè

A small jewel in the Chianti countryside of Castelnuovo Berardenga

San Gusmè is a characteristic Tuscan village located in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the Chianti Classico area. Its name derives from San Cosma, whose church of the same name has been remembered since the year 867. In 1201 it was still an unfortified village of modest size. It was in 1370, following raids by mercenary companies, that the inhabitants decided to erect defensive walls with the help of Siena.

Even today San Gusmè represents an example of a fortified village, circular in shape and bordered by part of the city walls, some sections of which are preserved with rectangular ramparts. The village is entered through the two original gates: the Porta Senese is surmounted by a rectangular marble plaque with the balzana of Siena between two leaves. The third gate, Porta Nuova, which opens next to the church of Saints Cosma and Damiano, on the other hand, dates from 1939. Within the village are located the churches of Saints Cosma and Damiano and the Church of SS. Annunziata.

A special feature of San Gusmè is the statue dedicated to Luca Cava, made in 1888 for an entirely original purpose. The statuette, in fact, served to indicate to people the place where it was possible to relieve themselves, later used as fertilizer. It is said, however, that it was put there by a village innkeeper tired of the rudeness of his patrons. The fact is that it has become a symbol of San Gusmè to which the villagers are very attached, so much so that when the statue was destroyed around the 1940s it was rebuilt based on a design by Emilio Giannelli, a well-known cartoonist. From that year began the Festival in honor of Luca Cava, scheduled every first two weekends in September.

Don't miss the breathtaking view from the village: on a clear day you can make out the city of Siena, over which the Torre del Mangia stands out.

Chianti

Chianti
A fascinating place, rich with culture, nature and typical products.
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