Spedaletto: Garden Culture, Villa and Winegrowing

When choosing a stay in Spedaletto, you can weigh up garden and architectural history, winegrowing, and specific route features. Villa Poggio Torselli and the Giardino all’Italiana represent the first themes; the vineyard, winery and two routes offer further points of interest.

Villa and Garden of Poggio Torselli

Villa Poggio Torselli in Spedaletto is reached via a cypress-lined avenue that leads to an elegant 18th-century façade. The avenue creates a clear sequence between the entrance and the façade: the path draws the eye towards the historic building rather than leaving the architecture to stand alone.

The Giardino all’Italiana at Poggio Torselli is laid out on two levels. Its plants bring together different aspects of the grounds: the flowers change with the seasons, and aromatic and medicinal herbs also grow there. Both the garden’s spatial layout and its changing planting are therefore relevant to understanding it.

The garden includes a collection of 130 citrus trees in Impruneta terracotta pots. The collection comprises 130 citrus trees in Impruneta terracotta pots. With flowering that changes seasonally, the garden is not limited to a single appearance.

Another distinctive feature is the irrigation system, which has been fully preserved to this day. It dates from the 18th century and consists of channels made of Pietra serena and basins carved from Pietra forte. The system’s slope irrigates all the garden beds by gravity.

Winegrowing and Protected Architecture

The Montecapri vineyard at Poggio Torselli is dedicated entirely to growing Sangiovese. The winery also includes a fermentation room with stainless-steel tanks whose total capacity exceeds 3,000 hectolitres. The vineyard and fermentation room represent different aspects of winegrowing: the explicitly named grape cultivation and the technical equipment for fermentation.

Another historic address in Spedaletto is Villa Tosi and its outbuildings. They are protected under a preservation order dated 2 August 1974. This ensemble adds a second named estate to the town’s architectural history, separate from Villa Poggio Torselli and its garden.

Routes and Travel Planning

The municipal Itinerario 3 is described in the 2024 municipal visitor guide as 47 kilometres long. It leads to Spedaletto, runs about 300 metres behind Villa Poggio Torselli, and joins the SS2 Cassia near the historic centre of San Casciano. Have the route confirmed locally before your trip.

The CAI hiking trail Sentiero 452, Anello del Principe (Albergaccio di Machiavelli), follows a section of unpaved surface that crosses the Borro Suganella before reaching Spedaletto. The details differ from those for the municipal Itinerario 3: here, the unpaved surface and the crossing of the Borro Suganella are the defining route features, whereas the Itinerario 3 is described primarily by its total length and the named landmarks along it. This lets you compare routes based on the specific features mentioned without adding information about walking time or difficulty.

A stop is also named for getting there: SPEDALETTO SAN CASCIANO is listed as a bus stop on route 368. Check the timetable and whether the stop is served before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Le Quattro Strade, Ostina, Cerreto Guidi, Le Vedute, Signa, Marcoiano, Antella, Gavena

For the broader travel overview: Florence.