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The
“Locanda del Templare”,
situated in the center of Palazzuolo
village in a 17th century palace, was
the cellar and winery of an estate that
today is owned by Giacomo Marengo. The
inn management has Oriano Donati,
whose talents as a Tuscan restaurateur
are renown. Oriano’s mission is also
to refine the bounty of products originating
from the farm, including wine, organic
extra-virgin olive oil, vinegar, vegetables
from the organic garden and the meat
from the game reserve (wild boar, deer
and pheasant).
The
“Locanda del Templare”,
which means “Inn of the Templar Knight”
derives its name from the ancient
history of the area, which belonged
to the order of the Knights Templar
(the knights who stayed in the Jerusalem
temple, when Jerusalem was re-conquered
from Muslims during the crusades).
In the neighborhoods of Palazzuolo
village there were many small castles
(for example Palazzuolo Vecchio, that
around 1000 A.C. was already called
“Palatiolum Veteris”, which means
“Old Palazzuolo”!), a so-called “hospitale”
(Saint John of Foresto) and a Commenda
(namely the center of command of the
templar knights). In the tradition
of welcoming and receiving pilgrims
traveling along this important road
which connected, since Etruscan times
(600-500 BC) the sea to the interior
(Arezzo, Siena) the “hospitale” was
a restoration point for the “Foresto”,
namely the traveling foreigner. So
the “Locanda del Templare “, tries
to create again a restoration point
where it is possible to stop and recover,
in a pleasant and peaceful environment,
with genuine and delightful foods
and excellent wines.
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The
“Locanda del Templare” offers traditional Tuscan cuisine
with particular attention to
the preparation (only home made
pasta and desserts), and fresh
ingredients (genuine and of
the best possible quality),
at advantageous prices.
In
the two warm and comfortable halls that
are furnished with elegant simplicity
and a mix of ancient and modern style,
it is possible to delight in the excellent
meals of the seasonal “a-la-carte” menu.
Accompanied by Tuscan and Piedmonts
wines, meals are served in the tradition
of the Marengo family. In fact, the
Founder of the farm, Giacomo Marengo,
is from Piedmont where his family has
produced Barolo wine for more than a
century, while the founder’s wife (Wilma
Staderini) is from Tuscany, where they
have produced great Chianti's and Supertuscan
wines since the 60s’. The
“Locanda del Templare”
will offer, by summer 2005, a wine
shop in the evocative atmosphere of
the 400 year-old cellar. Characterized
by amazing cross and barrel vaults
made of bricks and stones, a specialized
and professional assistant will guide
you in tasting the wines and the olive
oil produced on the farm. A new veranda
will also be soon available, where
it will be possible to organize intimate
ceremonies that will provide unforgettable
memories.
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