Chapter 1: Ancestral Home of the Tandini
A Journey Through Finland
Chapter 1: Ancestral Home of the Tandini
Since 22 generations our family home is located on an island off the coast. Its name Nesholt derives partly from our Italian-Greek roots, partly from Nordic influence: Greek 'Nesos' = Island, 'Holt' = town names in Island, Norway and on some British Islands. On top of the island there are still ruins of the old stronghold, which was inhabited over seven generations. In the 14th century a mansion was founded beneath the stronghold, directed to the open sea. Since then the mansion is the home of the Tandini.
Pic 1.01: The Island Nesholt (from west)
Pic 1.02: The Island Nesholt (from north)
Pic 1.03: The Island Nesholt (from east)
Not always did my ancestors stand out by modesty... In the 17th century the fairly modest mansion was reconstructed into a noble palace, surrounded with spacious parks.
Then the world changed – depression, world wars...
The attitude of people changed, what resulted in decreasing acceptance of the rising maintenance costs. My father, whose interests were more with wine growing, abdicated the administrator charge and expanded the growing of wine. By very successful cuttings and excellent wine creations he considerably relieved the financial pressure.
Already in my young-manhood I developed a strong proposition to reconstruct our family home completely: once again it should become modest and I wanted it to blend harmonically into the surrounding nature. Based on a famous building of the well known architect Frank Lloyd Wright resulted an organic site that fits well our representative requirements.
Pic 1.04: The near environment of our family home
But my son holds that the boreal planting of the estate doesn't really match the rather Mediterranean nature of Nesholt. Well, this seems to become one of my charges when I pass the chair to my son...
Pic 1.05: Falling Waters
Beneath our estate a boardwalk runs down to our pier we opened to the public. It became a popular stomping ground to marvel at the flora and fauna of the sea.
Pic. 1.06: View from the pier
From the upper entrance to our home an old iron bridge leads to the mill. In Finland we attach great importance to preferably natural and decentralized supply in all respects. Therefore, additionally to the two wind turbines, this mill serves mainly as electrical power supply. Because of lack of space to grow grain, we get the needs from the mainland, but flouring it our own...
Pic. 1.07: The mill
Pic. 1.08: The two wind turbines near the 'Turtle Beach'
Passing the sheep-run right hand up the hill a gravel path leads to the property of the family Gronki. There you get organic turkey meat and delicious pine and flower honey!
Pic. 1.09: The Gronki Estate
Immediately behind the Gronki start the vineyards the gravel path leads in wide turn up to the castle ruin. Beneath the property of the Gronky the path passes a steel bridge leading to the only village on Nesholt. The scenic point above the steel bridge offers splendid views into the Gorge gap and onto the sea.
Pic. 1.10: A paradise for divers – but somehow dangerous...
Well, bye for now – next time you are invited to visit Porto Nesholt.
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Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.
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