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The Oil Route
2. Northwards – from Pontassieve to Londa
(or viceversa)
At
Pontassieve, drive past the historical
centre and keep the left shore of the river
Sieve (that is, opposite the main national
road), following the narrow secondary road
steeply going up the hills north of the
village. The first building complex along
this road is called Pievecchia, overlooked
by the tall tower; then follows Grignano
with its farm and oil mill. This is a villa
of the 19th century, with its own park,
built on a rocky spur dominating the valley
below. The road proceeds uphill to the col
of Monterifrassine (windmill), where is the
oil mill of the farm of Lavecchio: the farm
itself is a few hundreds meters north
towards Montefiesole.
From Monterifrassine a short detour leads to
Doccia, a nice village with its own church
and farm with oil mill.
Proceed
along the north-eastern side of the hill
above the village of Rufina and reach
Montebonello, from where a steep road leads
to Acone, situated in a beautiful position
at 477 m above sea-level. Past Acone, the
road goes downhill and reaches Pavi farm,
overlooking a landscape of the vineyards and
olive groves of the valley of Argomenna.
Back to Rufina, take the main national road
(S.S. 67) for a few kilometres northwards.
At Contea turn right to quickly reach Londa.
This quaint village stands at the confluence
of two streams and boasts a small but well
preserved historical centre and, not far
away, the Dofour Berte oil mill, named after
the family who inherited part of the real
estate once belonging to the marquis
Guadagni.
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