The history of “Il Paradiso” much like that of the other surrounding properties nearby, has its roots dating back to the times when pilgrims from the north would pass through Siena on their way to Rome (the nearby parish church of Recenza, dating back to the early-Christian era, has one of the oldest baptismal fonts in the province).

The oldest recorded paper documents that make mention of the place-name “Paradiso” are, however, much more recent and can be found in the Archives of the Archbishop of Siena amongst papers concerning the Parish of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Recenza (Pieve di S. Giovanni Battista); taking note that “Il Paradiso” fell under the care of that parish. In an inventory of the goods and assets of the aforementioned parish, amidst notes concerning the “tithes” of the peasant farms whose occupants were required to give such sum to the church, “Il Paradiso” is mentioned on various occasions: for example, in 1645 the property was in the hands of the Turamini family and 2 “staia” * of wine were given. In 1663 one “staio” of wine was paid and it was further specified that a free-will offering of linen and grain was given. (* one staio = 24.36 liters).

In the following centuries the property changed ownership many times until, as it was recorded in 1825 in the Catasto Leopoldino (“catasto” is a record of property deeds), “Il Paradiso” became a part of the possessions of the villa of “Cerreto a Merse”, which it has remained up until the present time.

Cerreto	Entrata	In inverno	La struttra	In pineta

 

The “Fattoria” (agricultural estate) of “Cerreto a Merse” comprises approx. 1000 ha (2,500 acres), the major part of which is taken up by forest (approx 850 ha or 2,100 acres). The woods consist mainly of holm-oak (holly-oak; a type of Mediterranean “white oak”), pines, white oak and turkey oak but also of other various species including chestnuts, manna ash, hazelnut trees, poplars and cork oak.

These woods used to be harvested for the production of coal and carbon, after which followed a period of approx 50 years of complete rest. Only lately have we started again to selectively harvest trees for burning and to thin out the pine forest.

The agricultural part of the property has seen a number of changes over the years. The official end of the “Mezzadria” method of farming in Italy (whereby share-croppers used to pay the land-lord half of the annual produce in return for being allowed to farm the land and live in the farm houses) and a gradual decline in the agricultural economy saw a change from the various types of crops cultivated to an almost exclusive production of yellow-corn. This particular estate became, as such, a model farm for corn production at the highest European level.

Other farm products (such as olive oil, vegetables, honey, various fruits) are now grown here only for private consumption