Barberino Val d'Elsa is a fraction of Barberino Tavarnelle, which belongs to the metropolitan city of Florence, in Tuscany. It is located on the hills east of the Val d'Elsa, at an altitude of 373 meters above sea level.
In the historic village, entering from the Porta Senese to the south, take via Francesco da Barberino, where there are several valuable buildings with beautiful wooden doors and stone walls. Continuing along the street, on the facades of the buildings you will not miss the coat of arms of bees, that of the Barberini, powerful family of Pope Urban VIII, until you meet on the right Palazzo Pretorio, currently provost of San Bartolomeo, with a Renaissance facade decorated with the 35 noble coats of arms belonging to the most important families of Florence.
Barberino's position on the crossroads that leads to the Via Francigena made it a place of welcome and rest for travelers and pilgrims. Evidence of this is found near the Porta Fiorentina where the Spedale dei Pellegrini stands, built in 1365 by Taddeo di Cecco, son of the notary poet Francesco da Barberino. The building has been recently restored, with its beautiful fourteenth-century portal overlooking the square of the same name. Continuing to walk, you reach the Church of San Bartolomeo.
The name of the village is also linked to Andrea da Barberino, the writer Andrea de 'Mengabotti, author of Il Guerrin Meschino, who was the birthplace.
The municipal area is located in the classic area of the Chianti DOC.
Foto credits: www.barberinovaldelsa.net