Pieve di Caminino Roccastrada - Tuscany.

The Pieve di Caminino is situated in the south-west part of the Tuscan territory known as Roccastrada, and to the east of the village of Montemassi. A medieval church, surrounded by a rural settlement, the Pieve di Caminino functioned as a religious building until the 17th century in which period the site was abandoned.

In the latter half of the 1800's the Marucchi Locatelli family purchased the church and the surrounding buildings as well as the neighboring estate of Peruzzo. The various buildings were subsequently restored. The architecture of the ancient church' is largely Romanesque in style and the higher section of the façade is still intact. Inside the church, which is no longer consecrated, concerts of classical music are held in virtue of the buildings perfect acoustics. The ancient rural hamlet around the church has been transformed in an exclusive resort of great charm.

The Pieve di Caminino offers visitors to this area of Tuscany luxurious accommodation in 6 suites and 1 apartment. All are comprised of welcoming living room, one or two bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. The apartment is decorated with exquisite pieces of period furniture and paintings which are all part of the owner's private collection. Each suite has its own terrace and private garden area affording delightful views of the surrounding countryside. Independent heating and stone fireplaces make the cottages the perfect holiday accommodation in the cooler seasons, when the Maremma comes alive with some of Tuscany's most fascinating festivals and gastronomic fairs.

The gardens with swimming pool offer a fantastic view of nearby Montemassi castle. This castle is, without any doubt, the most famous monument in the territory of the Roccastrada, and was depicted in the famous fresco situated in the public palace of Siena, attributed to Simone Martini.

The estate of Pieve di Caminino covers some 500 hectares of land predominantly used for the cultivation of olives but with ample territory also reserved for vineyards, Mediterranean scrub and woodland. The fruit harvested from the olive groves is used so as to obtain the highly prized Pieve di Caminino cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. The oil has been made by members of the Marucchi-Locateli family since 1873, when they first came into ownership of the property.Tastings of the oil are held in the former church, accompanied by toasted bread, garlic, salt and, of course, a glass of the finest local red wine.