Hello dearest friends!
This weekend was truly intense in every way! I had so much fun discovering new places that I couldn't wait to share with you. Today, in particular, I’m taking you along with my photos to explore Mensano, a small village in the municipality of Casole d'Elsa. It’s a place I’ve already shown you in previous posts, located in the province of Siena, in the stunning Tuscany.
I have quite a few friends in the Siena area, and whenever I know I’ll be around for the week, I always take the chance to visit them. Honestly, I had been in that area several times before, but I had never had the opportunity to see this little settlement, which everyone told me was really fascinating.
Mensano sits at about 500 meters above sea level, right in the heart of the Metalliferous Hills, a region I’ve mentioned in previous posts. As soon as I stepped out of the car and started exploring, I immediately noticed the gardens of the houses, always filled with olive trees—such an important plant for Tuscany, as it produces the exceptional olive oil that only this region knows how to make.
As I continued my walk, I came across one of the most important landmarks here: the parish church, the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista, which dates back to the 12th century. It’s a stunning church that, luckily, has been well preserved to this day.
Unfortunately, as often happens with churches, I wasn’t lucky and found it closed. But I kept exploring, admiring the stone houses—some a bit abandoned, some well-maintained. However, what struck me the most were the picturesque yet incredibly narrow streets. Anyone driving a large vehicle through them would definitely have to be careful!
Luckily, from a beautiful panoramic viewpoint, I was able to admire the breathtaking landscape stretching out before me. I believe it was a view of the Val di Cecina, if I’m not mistaken. As I continued, I also spotted a gorgeous cat sitting there, quietly watching me, curious about what I was up to.
I made my way up to the village center, where I found a bench and a small playground, perfect for relaxing and soaking in the scenery. It’s a shame the weather wasn’t great—neither sunny nor warm—but I imagine this must be a very popular spot for visitors.
I hope you found my photos interesting! As always, I hope I’ve taken you along on an exploration of a place you didn’t know before—and maybe, one day, you’ll get the chance to visit it too.
Wishing you all a wonderful day!