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Casole d'Elsa

Casole d'Elsa
Comune
Comune di Casole d'Elsa
Casole d'Elsa z05.JPG
Coat of arms of Casole d'Elsa
Coat of arms
Casole d'Elsa is located in Italy
Casole d'Elsa
Casole d'Elsa
Location of Casole d'Elsa in Italy
Coordinates: 43°20′N 11°3′E / 43.333°N 11.050°E / 43.333; 11.050Coordinates: 43°20′N 11°3′E / 43.333°N 11.050°E / 43.333; 11.050
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Province / Metropolitan city Siena (SI)
Government
 • Mayor Valentina Feti (since June 2004)
Area
 • Total 148.8 km2 (57.5 sq mi)
Elevation 417 m (1,368 ft)
Population (1 January 2008)
 • Total 3,623
 • Density 24/km2 (63/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Casolesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 53031
Dialing code 0577
Patron saint San Donato
Saint day 7 August
Website Official website

Casole d'Elsa is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) southwest of Florence and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Siena.

The church of San Niccolò, of Romanesque origin, has a nave and four aisles divided by columns and semicolumns, with two semicircular apses with mullioned windows. The central portal is from the early 14th century, while the portico is modern. It has 17th-century frescoes by Rustichino and, at the high altar, one 14th century Madonna of the Sienese School.

The collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta was consecrated in 1161; of the original Romanesque edifice, the façade remains with the bell tower. The upper part is decorated with blinds arches divided by slender semicolumns. The transept is from the 14th century. The interior houses the tombs of Beltramo Aringhieri, by Marco Romano (early 14th century), and of bishop Tommaso Andrei, by Gano di Fazio (1303). Annexed to the church is a Museum of Sacred Art with works by Domenico di Michelino, Alessandro Casolani and others.

The Pieve of San Giovanni Battista, at Mensano, is also from the 12th century. Notable are the sculpted capitals of the columns dividing nave and aisles, considered amongst the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture in the Siena area. From the same period and style is the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista, at Pievescola.

Casole d'Elsa is also home to the world-renowned Verrocchio Art Centre offering fine art courses, painting holidays, sculpture courses, studios and accommodation. Nigel Konstam is the resident director and a sculptor whose work is firmly based in the European tradition.


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