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Gambassi Terme

Gambassi Terme is an Italian Comune (Municipality), in the Province of Florence and in the Region Tuscany, it is part of Valley of Elsa River and located about 35 kilometres (22 miles), southwest of Florence. Today Gambassi Terme is renowed for Terme on zone Pillo and is also famous as the birthplace of sculptor Giovanni Francesco Gonnelli (named the blind of Gambassi). Main sights: Parco Comunale, that was the garden of the Villa Sinnai; the church of Cristo Re which houses two paintings: “Madonna with Child and Saints Giovanni, Francesco, Matteo e Jacopo“ of Pier Francesco Fiorentino and “Madonna with saints Giovanni Battista e Girolamo” of Biagio di Antonio.
Source: Wikipedia

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Historic artistic sites

Santa Maria a Chianni Show position

LOCATION: in an isolated position and a short distance from the road leading to Gambassi Terme and Castelfiorentino.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: Chianni was well known in 988 and the church was mentioned in 990 by Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury. As further proof of its existence, in 1061 the church was enlarged in 1181 and restored in 1520 and again in 1842.
DESCRIPTION: worthy of note is the imposing stone, enriched by blind arches in Lucchese style. Internally there are three naves with five apses and columns with beautiful capitols.

Sant'Andrea a Gavignalla Show position

LOCATION: on a deviation on the right of the road that goes from Gambassi Terme to Certaldo. The place name “Gavignalla” is based on the name in Latin of a person known as “Gavinius” and probably refers to an original owner of the property.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: the church dates back to the XIII century but over the years has received little attention but fortunately the beautiful apse has remained intact.
DESCRIPTION: the building has partially plastered external walls with the exception of the apse which was built of sandstone and has a window divided in two.

Badia a Cerreto Show position

LOCATION: in an isolated position on the brow of a hill at a short distance of a road which leads from Gambassi Terme to Certaldo.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: the construction of this abbey-hermitage by the Camaldolese monks, was completed about 1072 and the church - oratory on completion was dedicated to San Pietro.
Abandoned by the Camaldolese in the 15th century, the abbey fell into disuse and was suppressed in 1652 by Papal deed. Only the church continued to be used for the following three centuries, after which the entire complex was irreversibly changed.
DESCRIPTION: some of the buildings currently being used as dwellings are constructed of stone and brickwork, while the indistinguishable church of San Pietro and cloister have several columns in brickwork.

Varna Show position

LOCATION: in a dominant position near one of the two roads that go from Gambassi Terme to Castelfiorentino. The place name “Varna” is probably a deformation of “Varva” from the original Longobard-Germanic which means a deposit or a closed off place.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: the church dates back to the XII century and was refaced in the seventeen hundreds (including the original bell gable).
However, the left wall for those looking at the faCade was left untouched and was constructed of sandstone in which wall there were three doors, now closed up.
DESCRIPTION: the building with rectangular plan built with original stone and brick.

San Frediano a Montignoso Show position

LOCATION: in an isolated position on a deviation on the right of the road that goes from Montaione to San Gimignano passing throught Il Castagno d'Elsa and Camporbiano.
The place name “Montignoso” is a combination of two words, “mons” and “tinjosus”. The latter in common in Latin parlance means vetetation / leaves / undergrowth.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: the church dates back to the XII century and formed part of the castle of Montignoso. Although refaced and restored the original building was not greatly affected.
DESCRIPTION: building in stone, connected with remains of the ancient surrounding walls of the castle of Montignoso with a functioning convent adjacent.

Santa CristinaShow position

LOCATION: on top of a hill by cypress trees, near the road that goes from Il Castagno d'Elsa to Gambassi Terme.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: the church is of recent time. It is said that in the same place stood another church dedicated to Santa Cristina.
DESCRIPTION: elegant brick building, rectangular in shape, twelve by six meters, with a portal in sandstone, like the blind arch above it.

Gambassi Terme

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