In southern Tuscany, an eleventh-century castle and a thirteenth-century convent—truly the stuff of fairy tales—lie nestled in a valley beneath the now-extinct Mount Amiata. Remarkably, both sites share strong ties to Dartmouth. For years, the Potentino castle has welcomed student interns and foreign study programs to experience its archeology, history, biodiversity, cultural heritage, holistic approach to nature, and traditional country life. Nearby, the Convento del Colombaio has recently been the focus of exploratory surveys that revealed significant remains beneath the surface. This summer, an international, interdisciplinary team led by Prof. Nick Camerlenghi, Chair of Dartmouth’s Art History Department, will use the castle as a base for excavations at the convent. 

Both the castle and convent are deeply connected to the surrounding landscape and offer meaningful lessons for modern times. The convent in particular embodied the values of St. Francis—the mystic and champion of nature often seen as a father of the modern environmental movement. During the Renaissance, it also served as a training ground for St. Bernardino of Siena, the Franciscan ascetic associated with the infamous “Bonfire of the Vanities.”

Sadly, the convent—once an agricultural and spiritual hub—is now at serious risk. After its abandonment in the 1820s and the collapse of its bell tower in the 1970s, recent stopgap efforts by architects working with the Dartmouth team have helped stabilize what remains. The urgency of excavating and studying the site, and connecting it to the history of Mount Amiata, the Potentino Valley, and Franciscan traditions, is clear. 

This is a rare opportunity, as the area has never been the focus of a formal archaeological dig. Its significance is heightened by the timing: 2026 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis. Just as importantly, this interdisciplinary exploration of religion, architecture, and agriculture promises to elevate Dartmouth’s visibility on a global stage.

This September, we’re inviting a small group of supporters to a special six-night stay at Potentino (27 September–4 October) — a chance to enjoy delicious food and wine, scenic walks, and the area’s rich history, while helping us reach our $25,000 fundraising goal for the project.

What guests will enjoy:

• Accommodation in the castle for up to 14 guests across 9 unique rooms (Explore our rooms)

• Breakfast in the guest kitchen, with lunch and dinner served either al fresco under the loggia or in the grand dining hall, paired with estate wines

• Artisan food experiences, including cheese tastings, pasta-making workshops, and a wine tasting with Charlotte

• Guided ecology and archaeology tours of Potentino’s valley, including the site of the Franciscan monastery

• Talks and lectures from project members and invited specialists

• Harvest-time experiences, with the chance to press grapes by foot in the castle’s ancient wine stones

For this six-night fundraising stay at Potentino (27 September–4 October):

Special donor pricing (6 nights, discounted 50%)

• Single occupancy: €1,500

• Double occupancy (per couple): €2,600

• Triple occupancy (per group of three): €3,700

Guests are asked to match the cost of their stay with a donation to FOP, bringing the total contribution to:

• €3,000 per single guest

• €5,200 per couple

• €7,400 per group of three

With a full group of around 14 guests, this gathering would allow us to meet our fundraising goal while offering participants a rich, relaxing, hands-on experience of Potentino’s landscape, history, food, and harvest traditions.