Pre-trip work!

March 15, 2025   Rural Exploring       We started in Peccioli on some hardcore backroads and with the amount of rain the region has been experiencing, the dirt roads were steep and rutted in some spots. I'm not gonna lie, thoughts of tow trucks and calls to our host were circulating in my mind! However, with Rod's good driving skills, we made it to the next rural spot in Montecchio for more hiking. We were in search of a very old hilltop church by the name of Madonna delle Serre which dates back to 1356. Before we made it to the top of the hill, we found the ruins of a small community, the Serre Farm. At one time, there were many more cottages inhabited by sharecroppers. The remaining buildings still standing look like the large main buildings of the Serre Farm and family homes.

On our way to the church.

There were olive groves and vineyards along the way. It looks like they are all pruned and ready for this year's growth.

A wooden wagon of sorts. 

The first large building. I got two pictures inside one of the bottom windows posted below.

Another large structure.

The view before we reached the last structure before the church.

The last farm building.

A vineyard before we reach the church.

Madonna delle Serre dating from 1356.

The door was locked. This shot is through a window. The lights were on.

The view from the church looking down the hill where we came through the old, small community.