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Ancient Walls and Fresco's in Lastra a Signa near Florence

The city walls of Lastra A Signa are still intact and maintain their original configuration and the town contains buildings of noteworthy historical interest. The city walls have lost only some of their original parapets but still have long lines of galleries sustained by robust and elegant arches.

The restored gates of Porta Pisana and the gate called “Baccio” remain of the three original city gates. Of interest inside the walls are the Spedale of Sant’Antonio, the Tabernacle of the Podestà and the Podestà Palace.
The first was founded in 1411 by the Arte della Seta (Silk Guild) of Florence to welcome travellers. The seven-arch loggia on octagonal pilasters and the elegant capitals are noteworthy.

The Tabernacle of the Podestà is opposite the Spedale of Sant’Antonio, and contains a 16th century fresco by a painter near to Fra Bartolomeo, depicting a Madonna with Child and Saints John the Baptist and Francis.

There are interesting frescoes of the late 1500’s in the Podestà Palace, a valuable two storey building with the coat of arms of the Podestà of Lastra.
There are antique historical villas in the beautiful surrounding areas of Lastra, the most famous being the Villa Caruso Bellosguardo. Built in 1585, by design of the Florentine architect Dosio, on the hills overlooking Lastra, Villa Caruso Bellosguardo was endowed with a beautiful Italian style garden and a park with statues and fountains.

In 1906, the villa was purchased by the celebrated tenor Enrico Caruso, who decide to restore it, building a gallery with an upper terrace. The municipality of Lastra A Signa, the present owner, has promoted its rebirth as a centre of cultural life for the community.

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