 The hiddenmost parts of Tuscany The absolute beauty of Tuscany attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to its famous and precious art cities: such as Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca. But there is a more secluded, discrete Tuscany that is certainly no less rich in charm. Discover the small towns of Tuscany, rich in history each with its own particular characteristic and each the fruit of a unique, event filled history. Staying at Villa di Ulignano you have the opportunity of living this magnificent region as protagonists, by discovering its most marvelous hidden recesses, far from the throngs of mass tourism. 
Volterra A gem of Etruscan, Roman, mediaeval, and Renaissance art, Volterra commands the entire Cecina valley as far as the sea from the hill on which it stands 550 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by a dramatic landscape created by the so-called Balze: impressive chasms, caused by landslips and landslides, in the hilly north-western slopes. In Volterra history has left its uninterrupted mark from the time of the Etruscans to the nineteenth century, with extremely important artistic and monumental forms, which can be admired simply by walking along the streets of the city centre, but also by visiting the city’s three important museums: the Museo Etrusco (Etruscan Museum), the Pinacoteca Civica (Town Art Gallery), and the Museo d'Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art). Next to these is an uncontaminated landscape, a quality of life that is still at a human pace, and an artistic handicraft unique in the whole world: alabaster. A city to be lived intensely, to be discovered little by little, with its atmospheres, its contrasts, the pulsing of a civilisation and a culture that make it unique and unrepeatable. Do not miss: Piazza dei Priori and Porta all’Arco. San Gimignano Located on a hill overlooking the Val d’Elsa valley, surrounded by fortified walls, San Gimignano is an extraordinary example of mediaeval town planning. Art city, rich in art treasures, San Gimignano is an important tourist attraction, that has been proclaimed natural and cultural heritage by UNESCO. Vineyards grow in the surrounding countryside, where the famous Vernaccia di San Gimignano is made, the first Italian wine to receive the DOC trademark (controlled denomination of origin) in 1966, which after 1993 became DOCG (controlled and guaranteed denomination of origin). The 15 (out of 72) surviving towers, the XIII century walls, the many case-torri (tower-houses), and the buildings of the Communal period render the landscape and appearance of San Gimignano unique. A very suggestive open space is Piazza della Cisterna, characterised by the monumental cistern (XIII-XIV century) that gives the square its name. Do not miss: Piazza del Duomo, La collegiata, Via San Matteo, and the Church of Sant’Agostino. Certaldo Without doubt the ancient part of the city is the most interesting. Located on a hill, it can be reached by cable railway from the modern city (the Borgo). The particular warm colours of the old city, which is surrounded by walls, is given by the red brick of its mediaeval buildings. Its origins date back to the Etruscan-Roman period. It was the birthplace of the famous Italian poet, Boccaccio, who died there in 1375. The Palazzo Pretorio or Palazzo del Vicario is the most significant building in the town. It was rebuilt in the XV century, when a portico and coats of arms were added. Along the picturesque road that leads to porta del Rivellino, one can admire the mediaeval houses and a small suggestive Romanesque cloister. Monteriggioni The unique suggestive profile of Monteriggioni appears bold and towering on the peak of the hill it stands on like a sentry defending the ancient Republic of Siena. Thanks to its beauty and position it has a natural tourist vocation. Monteriggioni was an ancient noble Borgo (suburb), founded by the Republic of Siena at the beginning of the XIII century as an outpost against Florence. It was contended over during the centuries-old war for supremacy between the two cities, and finally conquered by the Florentines only in the XVI century. Its thirteenth century walls are fundamental in the history of mediaeval fortifications. They form a 560 m perimeter, with two gates and 14 quadrilateral towers. Inside the walls is the main square of the Borgo, which maintains an intact mediaeval aspect. The mediaeval feast Monteriggioni di torri si corona is held in mid-July every year. It is among the three most important Italian mediaeval feasts and re-enacts the history and traditions of Monteriggioni. All the inhabitants wear historical costumes for the occasion. Ballad singers, minstrels, musicians, and mountebanks animate the feast, while artisans show ancient trades: the blacksmith, the engraver, the rope maker, the lute maker. Real workshops and laboratories can be admired inside the castle: the coin mint, the water mill, and the shop that used to make paper. Colle Val d'Elsa One of the largest communes in the province of Siena, Colle Val d’Elsa is rich in monuments of great artistic value. Located at the edge of the piano delle Grazie, near the left bank of the river Elsa, the town is surrounded by the typical mild Tuscan hills, rich in olive trees, vineyards, and cypresses. For the inhabitants of Colle Val d’Elsa, the river has always been an important source of energy for local productive activities. Canalised into a clever system, it has contributed to turn the town into one of the most ancient industrial poles of Tuscany for processing of wool, paper, and glass. Today Colle Val d’Elsa is famous all over the world for its production of precious crystals, among the most beautiful in Italy. The town is divided into three levels: The Piano in the lower part, i.e. the modern town, the Borgo, which extends towards the road to Volterra, and the Castello, the centre of the ancient city. This mediaeval city centre is characterised by narrow paved alleys, tower-houses, mountainsides, small squares, and steps. Piazza del Duomo is the most prestigious monumental place of the city, while Via delle Volte is the most suggestive route. The Chianti Region The Chianti Region is a fertile soil. It is a region of hills and valleys between Siena and Florence. In the higher areas, its unique landscape is a continuous succession of woods of oak, chestnut, and fir, while the milder slopes house large vineyards and olive groves. Its hills extend along the Arno valley from Florence to Siena towards Arezzo, forming a natural regional boundary. Old parishes, castles, ancient centres of Etruscan descent, characterise the Chianti valley, which is famous for its esteemed wines all over the world. The name "Chianti" probably comes from the Latin "Clangor" or from the names of a few Etruscan families that lived in the area. The towns scattered in the region are almost invariably small, built on hills, with churches used as meeting places for the different communities: Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Badia a Coldibuono, Gaiole in Chianti, and Castello di Volpaia are some of these. |
Ulignano, in the heart of Tuscany
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