The Origo family buys the La Foce estate When the Origos first came to the Val d’Orcia it was a destitute and uncharted land, very far from the cultural and select tourism area It has become in the last decades. This was indeed one of the reasons for which it was chosen by them as a future lifelong project to develop together.
When the Origos first came to the Val d’Orcia it was a destitute and uncharted land, very far from the cultural and select tourism area It has become in the last decades. This was indeed one of the reasons for which it was chosen by them as a future lifelong project to develop together.
Goes back much further In 962 AC Chiarentana hosted Otto I on his way to Rome to be crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope John XII. In the early 14th century it became one of the first communes in Tuscany to have its own by-laws, still kept by the owners. Trhoughout the following centuries of war and misery and until Antonio and Iris Origo bought the La Foce estate, it had gradually degraded to become a large farmhouse lodging seven sharecroppers’ families living in destitute conditions. Their livestock and their granaries
In 962 AC Chiarentana hosted Otto I on his way to Rome to be crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope John XII. In the early 14th century it became one of the first communes in Tuscany to have its own by-laws, still kept by the owners. Trhoughout the following centuries of war and misery and until Antonio and Iris Origo bought the La Foce estate, it had gradually degraded to become a large farmhouse lodging seven sharecroppers’ families living in destitute conditions. Their livestock and their granaries
Agricultural transformation The mezzadria system in Italy began to give way in the fifties, as sharecroppers began to understand that it was no longer sustainable for them and thus to move away into the nearby villages. However the La Foce property continued its agricultural programs as most of the sharecroppers continued their work as paid farm workers., meanwhile in respect of the radical changes that had affected the area: from a zone struck by poverty it had become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The mezzadria system in Italy began to give way in the fifties, as sharecroppers began to understand that it was no longer sustainable for them and thus to move away into the nearby villages. However the La Foce property continued its agricultural programs as most of the sharecroppers continued their work as paid farm workers., meanwhile in respect of the radical changes that had affected the area: from a zone struck by poverty it had become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A humanitarian Spirit in the Val d’Orcia Biographical and historical author of international renown, Iris spent her childhood and her youth between Ireland the United states and Italy where she lived in Florence. After marrying Antonio in 1924 they moved to La Foce. A woman of great culture and sensitivity she described the wonderful but often difficult years there in her three autobiographical books or diaries, Images and Shadows, War in Val d’Orcia and A Chill in the Air. She also wrote several other books and biographies.
Biographical and historical author of international renown, Iris spent her childhood and her youth between Ireland the United states and Italy where she lived in Florence. After marrying Antonio in 1924 they moved to La Foce. A woman of great culture and sensitivity she described the wonderful but often difficult years there in her three autobiographical books or diaries, Images and Shadows, War in Val d’Orcia and A Chill in the Air. She also wrote several other books and biographies.
History continues After their parents’ death the La Foce estate was divided between the two daughters. Benedetta kept La Foce, while Donata took over Chiarentana as a separate estate. She settled there and lovingly restructured the buildings turning them into a high-end business to provide hospitality to guests from all over the world. Once discovered, guests keep returning year after year. Chiarentana also focuses on the production if the highest quality of organic olive oil sold in many different countries and winning many international prizes.
After their parents’ death the La Foce estate was divided between the two daughters. Benedetta kept La Foce, while Donata took over Chiarentana as a separate estate. She settled there and lovingly restructured the buildings turning them into a high-end business to provide hospitality to guests from all over the world. Once discovered, guests keep returning year after year. Chiarentana also focuses on the production if the highest quality of organic olive oil sold in many different countries and winning many international prizes.
Come and experience life in the Val d’Orcia Chiarentana provides holiday and long-term hospitality for couples, families or groups in its apartments in the main building, or in its three separate farmhouses, offering wonderful holidays in the heart of Tuscany. Discover Our Structure
Chiarentana provides holiday and long-term hospitality for couples, families or groups in its apartments in the main building, or in its three separate farmhouses, offering wonderful holidays in the heart of Tuscany.
In Your own home Bring the tastes of Tuscany into your home with the flavors and aromas of our amazing organic olive oil, produced with the greatest attention to quality. An olive oil culture is now belatedly catching up with the wine culture. Our Olive Oil
Bring the tastes of Tuscany into your home with the flavors and aromas of our amazing organic olive oil, produced with the greatest attention to quality. An olive oil culture is now belatedly catching up with the wine culture.