The first records of
Borgo di Lilliano date
back to the
Middle Ages. At that time it
was
a fortified complex comprising the
Church
of Santa Cristina with a characteristic single large
nave (
unusual
for the parish churches of Chianti). The
facade,
decorated with a well preserved cornice made of limestone,
is
highly original. The impressive construction
of the
farmhouse dominates the village.
The complex was owned by the Marquis of Tuscany,
later by the Abbey of Poggibonsi and by
the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova di Firenze.
It was then known as Palazzo di Santa Maria Nuova
a Ligliano.
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Lilliano
(Ligliano) in 1580
[drawing from the Florence State Archives]
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Lilliano suffered
sieges and destruction during
the
wars between Sienna and Florence due
to its position on the border between the territories of
the two extensive, argumentative republics and to the fact
that it was
close to important strongholds such
as
Staggia,
Castellina in Chianti and
Monteriggioni.
While retaining the
medieval formation which
can be seen in the topography, the cellars and enclosure
walls, the architecture
developed gradually through
a series of styles to assume its current
eighteenth
century appearance. The
bottling and sale
of wines was begun in 1958 by princess
Eleonora
Ruspoli Berlingieri, lwhose family bought the estate
in 1920.
Giulio and
Pietro Ruspoli are
the current owners.
The farm offers farmhouse holidays, tastings
and direct sale in the cellar of
Chianti Classico and the farm’s other products.
