APRIL 2025 THEME: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
For more than fifty years, Spannocchia has worked with academic institutions, artists, environmental and culinary groups, student travel organizations, and wellness practitioners to offer customized educational programs to visitors of all ages, from all around the world. With hundreds of acres of nature preserve, the property is a unique and idyllic setting to soak in the beauty of the Italian landscape, inspire creativity, and learn about the protection and conservation of Italian culture, cuisine, and nature.
Educational programming is an integral part of Spannocchia largely thanks to Ferdinando’s* interest in archeology and the ancient Etruscan civilization, and his founding of the US nonprofit Etruscan Foundation in 1958. In 1964, for the first time, American archeology professors and students came to the area to work on an Etruscan excavation—and of course, they needed to be housed and fed! Spannocchia became their home base and thus marks the beginning of educational programs on the property. In the subsequent years, with the help of artist friends, Ferdinando organized various art tours and programs. Then in 1981, the University of Kansas held its first summer program in architecture at Spannocchia, a partnership that lasted for about 25 years and focused on studying and restoring buildings on the estate. (Fun fact: it was at this architecture program that student Randall Stratton met the property owner’s daughter, Francesca Cinelli, and—as the cliché goes—the rest is history!)
Gradually, the art programs built up, evolving and growing even further with the establishment of the Spannocchia Foundation (now Friends of Spannocchia) in 2002. What started as programming focused on Etruscan archeology and architectural restoration is now an area of our work that encompasses topics including Italian culture and history, food and agriculture, sustainability, visual arts and music, and wellness. We’re honored to partner with so many program leaders and institutions year after year, and for the way their guests become an ongoing part of Spannocchia’s global community and story.
In addition to each program's work with their own instructors, groups at Spannocchia experience both formal and informal learning about the estate's past, Tuscan culture, regenerative farming, and sustainable living. We offer a variety of on-site tours and activities, provide our historical tour to all program groups at the start of their stay, and invite interaction with our farm interns, apprentices, and residents during family-style dinners and around the property. Program groups are also encouraged to offer a final presentation or event to share their work with the entire Spannocchia community.
While we love our program groups, you don't need to be part of one to learn something new while you are at Spannocchia. All guests are able to participate in classes and tours that showcase our agricultural practices and Italian culinary traditions—and Friends of Spannocchia members are eligible for discounted pricing on all the activities! From cooking classes to a Cinta Senese (pig) tour to our signature Taste the Farm program, we're always excited to interact with guests and show everyone what Spannocchia is all about. You can read more about the different offerings here.
Simply put, educational programming has long been and continues to be a key component of our mission and our work. Join us for a program or even just a class or tour, and experience the inspirational beauty, historical authenticity, and commitment to sustainability and the environment that make Spannocchia such a magical spot.
*Ferdinando was Delfino Cinelli’s son, and Francesca’s father
BY THE NUMBERS
Our 2025 program group season kicks off this month, with our first group arriving on April 10. By the time the season ends in mid-November, we expect to have hosted 27 groups consisting of 400 individuals, one of—if not the—largest years yet. The program calendar can be viewed here.
