Montescudaio
area operatoriMontescudaio
While originally a Benedictine monastery, due to its strategic positioning Montescudaio became an important hamlet in the Medieval age. Along "memory lane” are the grand buildings of the noble families, such as the Marchionneschi, the Ridolfi and the Guerrini, the Church of SS. Annunziata, then to the Gatekeeper’s Tower and the Piazzale del Castello, Castle Square, with the Church of Santa Maria Assunta set panoramically above the town. The small Museum of Religious Furnishings is open for visits by request or on anniversary occasions.
On route leads along the Via dei Pellegrini, or the Pilgrims’ Path, the area of the ancient Abbey, the recreation area of the Scornabecchi natural oasis and the medieval points of interest.
Montescudaio is part of the National Association "Città del Vino" and boasts its own DOC, which includes all the municipalities of the Cecina Valley with the exception of Volterra. The Sagra del Vino (first weekend in October) was founded in 1968, while the wine was granted the protected designation of origin standard in 1977 with two types: a red Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Malvasia and other varieties base, and a white Trebbiano, Malvasia and Vermintino base that can also be produced as dry, medium-dry or sweet vin santo.
In addition to being a Città del Vino, Montescudaio is also a Città del Pane, city of bread, with the classic unsalted bread baked in the wood-burning oven.
