The top of the mountain is heathery like Scotland, and open; but not long will it be so, for everywhere are the fenced parallelograms which indicate that a villa is to be erected.

Nothing, however, can change the mountain air or the glory of the surrounding heights.
Another view, unbroken by villas but including the monastery and the Foresters' Hotel in the immediate foreground, and extending as far as Florence itself (on suitable days), is obtained from Il Paradisino, a white building on a ledge which one sees from the hotel above the monastery.

But that is not by any means the top.

The view covers much of the way by which we came hither.
Of the monastery of Vallombrosa we have had foreshadowings in Florence.

We saw at the Accademia two exquisite portraits by Fra Bartolommeo of Vallombrosan monks.