Delightful Day in Radicofani

"On the border between Tuscany and Lazio, Radicofani was on the Francigena, the ancient pilgrim route between France and Rome and very important to control and defend.
Visitors known to have stopped in this village include Casanova, Mozart and Dickens."

After dropping our car-sharing mates (Giorgio, Marguerita and Anna) at Sabrina's La Foce cooking class at 9 am, Paula and I headed to the little medieval hill town of Radicofani, just about 30 km from La Foce.  We parked at the bottom of the town, hiked up for delicious cappuccinos at the cute bar where Ann, Mike, Mary S & I stopped in 2015 and then wandered around the beautiful little streets and even tinier lanes, visiting the church of San Agatha (town's patron saint) that had a beautiful Della Robbia ceramic altarpiece, using our newly installed QR Code app to read more about local history and figures, and taking pics of the glorious flowers - brilliant roses and geraniums in bloom everywhere. One elderly Italian man saw us gazing thru a gate at his pretty flowers and invited us (via hand signals) inside where he offered to take our photos in the garden.  Photos came out great ... he took about 20 of them!

Beautiful view from atop Radicofani's Fortress

Driving THROUGH
Radicofani!

After exploring the town, we decided to drive up to the fortress which we've noticed daily in the distance for the last two weeks, wherever we go in the Val d'Orcia. After checking the town map and weighing the different routes to get up there, Paula opted to drive thru the town gate and straight up the main (but very NARROW) street!  Fortunately there weren't many other cars around ... those ancient brick walls seemed awfully close to our rear view mirrors!!

Once at the top, we bought our €4 tickets and began our climb up the fortress!  The panoramic views of the rolling hills below (covered with vineyards and olive trees) were amazingly beautiful. On each level, we got to interrupt our climb and rest a bit while viewing the interesting museum displays. We learned all about Ghino di Tacco, Radicofani's most famous citizen. Ghino was considered by some somewhat of a local Robin Hood figure, by others a brigand!  He took control of the Radicofani fortress in 1297 and his various escapades were mentioned in Dante's "Purgatorio."

We finished our visit to the fortress by splitting an order of Pici Pasta Calcio & Pepe (cheese and pepper) at the fortress' little caffe overlooking the valley. Very tasty!  Then we scurried back to Chiarentana to pick up G, M & A who were just finishing up (@ 3 pm!) their market shopping in Montepulciano and their cooking class / lunch with Chef Sabrina.  They loved the experience!

Pre-Farewell Dinner Happy Hour by the Pool

Anna's wildflour
arrangement

Tonight was our shared cooking "Farewell Dinner" for Week 2 ... enjoyed outside under the pergola by candlelight. Anna & Marguerita made a pretty wildflower centerpiece; Ann & Joann made veggies; I repeated my Week 1 Chicken Francese; Cherny group made pasta; Jesus & Gladys brought tasty desserts.  Limoncello and grappa were also served (!)  A great time was had by all ... hard to believe Week 2 was coming to an end already ... it sped by in a flash!

Grappa toast under the pergola!