Casole d'Elsa [ˈkaːzole] is acomune (municipality) in theProvince of Siena in theItalian regionTuscany, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) southwest ofFlorence and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west ofSiena.
The church ofSan Niccolò, ofRomanesque 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 byRustichino and, at the high altar, one 14th centuryMadonna of the Sienese School.
Thecollegiata 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, byMarco 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 byDomenico di Michelino,Alessandro Casolani and others.
ThePieve ofSan 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 thePieve 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.CuriosityThe village is the base of the MotoGP Racing group called Ducati Pramac, that won the 2024 Moto GP title with Jorge Martín.
Frati, M.; A. Mennucci; M. Ristori; C. Spagnuolo (1996).Chiese medievali della Valdelsa. I territori della via Francigena tra Siena e San Gimignano.Empoli: Editori dell’Acero.
