North of Siena

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North of Siena are the hills of Chianti and the southern part of Valdelsa. Several small historic towns are located here, most notably San Gimignano. This area is also known for its ancient landmarks and for the production of wine.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small town located among the hills of the Province of Siena, known for its medieval old town and many towers. Originally an Etruscan village, the town rose to prominence in the Late Middle Ages as a free comune and thanks to its position along the Via Francigena. Powerful local families fought for control over the town, and they built towers to show their wealth. San Gimignano lost half of its population during the Black Death in 1348, so its importance declined and it was later conquered by Florence. The town is now a popular tourist destination thanks to its well preserved medieval architecture.

✪ Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta) is the main church of San Gimignano. Built between the 11th and 12th century and later expanded, the structure is an example of Romanesque architecture. The church hosts one of the greatest cycles of medieval frescoes in Europe, mostly dating from the 14th century. Meanwhile, the Santa Fina Chapel (Cappella di Santa Fina) inside the church is a jewel of the Early Renaissance, adorned with frescoes painted by Ghirlandaio between 1477 and 1478.

✪ Palazzo Comunale

Also known as: Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà

Palazzo Comunale is the historic town hall of San Gimignano, built during the 13th century and located next to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The tallest tower of the town, Torre Grossa, is adjacent to the palace, which also features a loggia known as Loggia del Comune. Palazzo Comunale hosts the Civic Museum (Museo Civico), which includes some halls adorned with medieval frescoes and a rich art gallery with many artworks from the Late Middle Ages.

✪ Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is the main square of San Gimignano, which hosts the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Palazzo Comunale. Other ancient buildings and towers face the square, such as the 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà, topped by the Torre Rognosa and adjacent to the Torre Chigi. The square continues to the north with the Piazza delle Erbe, which hosts the twin towers Torri dei Salvucci.

✪ Piazza della Cisterna

Piazza della Cisterna is a triangular square in the old town of San Gimignano, surrounded by historic buildings. Some of the medieval towers of the town face the square, such as the Torre del Diavolo on the northern side, the Torri degli Ardinghelli and the Torre di Palazzo Pellari on the northwestern corner, while the Torre dei Becci and the ancient city gate Arco dei Becci are on the southwestern corner. Another tower, Torre dei Cugnanesi, is located nearby, close to the Arco dei Becci.

Sacred Art Museum of San Gimignano

The Sacred Art Museum of San Gimignano (Museo d’Arte Sacra di San Gimignano) is a museum of religious art in the old town of San Gimignano. Its collection includes various paintings, sculptures, and other art pieces spanning various centuries and previously hosted in some local churches.

SanGimignano1300

SanGimignano1300 is a museum in San Gimignano, dedicated to the history of the town. The museum features various exhibitions and artworks, and it hosts a model of what the town looked like during the 14th century.

Galleria Continua

The Galleria Continua is a museum of contemporary art in San Gimignano. The art gallery houses pieces by many Italian and international artists, hosted in four different exhibition spaces located in the town.

Church of Sant’Agostino

The Church of Sant’Agostino is a historic church located at the northern edge of San Gimignano. Built during the 13th century, it features Romanesque and Gothic elements. The church houses a rich series of 15th-century frescoes and various other interesting artworks.

Spedale di Santa Fina

The Spedale di Santa Fina is a museum complex in San Gimignano. The complex includes the ancient pharmacy Spezieria di Santa Fina and an archaeological museum which hosts various finds from the Etruscan and Roman age. The Spedale di Santa Fina also houses the Raffaele De Grada Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea Raffaele De Grada), which features works by Italian artists from the 19th and 20th century.

Rocca of Montestaffoli

The Rocca of Montestaffoli is a fort built in the 14th century near the center of San Gimignano. Later abandoned, it has been restored during the 20th century and now it features a park and a winery, and it is used to host events. The Rocca of Montestaffoli formed part of the medieval fortifications of San Gimignano, and various sections of the ancient walls still surround the old town.

Poggibonsi

Poggibonsi is a town located north of Siena. Settled in ancient times, it emerged in the Late Middle Ages as a stop along the Via Francigena, and lived its golden age during this time. The town was then contested between local powers and it was damaged in various wars. Now Poggibonsi is an agrarian and industrial center.

Archaeological Park of Poggibonsi

The Archaeological Park of Poggibonsi (Parco Archeologico di Poggibonsi) is an archaeological area located on a hill overlooking Poggibonsi. The park hosts the ruins of various structures dating between the 5th and 10th century, and it features the reconstruction of a Lombard village and a museum with exhibits on local history. The area also includes the Fortress of Poggio Imperiale (Fortezza di Poggio Imperiale), a fort built by the Medici family between the 15th and 16th century.

Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni is a small town in the Province of Siena. Located on top of a hill, it is known for featuring well preserved medieval fortifications and buildings, and it is a popular tourist destination.

✪ Fortified Town of Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni was founded as a fortified town by the Republic of Siena in the 13th century. The circular walls that surround the village are well preserved and feature various towers and two city gates. The fortified town is dominated by a large square with various ancient buildings, one of which houses a museum of old armors.

Abbey of Santi Salvatore e Cirino

The Abbey of Santi Salvatore e Cirino (Abbazia dei Santi Salvatore e Cirino) is an ancient monastery located in Abbadia a Isola, near Monteriggioni. The Romanesque church was built during the 11th century as a stop along the Via Francigena, and it features a series of frescoes painted in the Late Middle Ages and various other artworks.

Castellina in Chianti

Castellina in Chianti is a small village in the Province of Siena, located among the Chianti Hills. Originally founded by the Etruscans, the town was fortified during the Late Middle Ages under the rule of Florence. The town is now a tourist destination thanks to its medieval old town, historic attractions, and beautiful environment.

Rocca of Castellina in Chianti

The Rocca is a castle that dominates the center of the medieval old town of Castellina in Chianti. Built starting in the 11th century, the castle became one of the main fortifications in the area. The fort was damaged in various battles over the centuries, and was later restored several times. The Rocca houses the Archaeological Museum of the Sienese Chianti (Museo Archeologico del Chianti Senese), which includes a collection of ancient artworks and archaeological finds, mostly from the Etruscan era.

Tumulus of Montecalvario

The Tumulus of Montecalvario (Tumulo di Montecalvario) is an Etruscan tomb located at the northern edge of Castellina in Chianti. The tomb dates from around the 7th century BCE, and many objects found here are now displayed in the archaeological museum inside the Rocca in the town.

Gaiole in Chianti

Gaiole in Chianti is a small town located among the Chianti Hills in the Province of Siena. The village is known for the various castles and wineries located in the beautiful surrounding hills.

Ama Castle

The Ama Castle is a tiny medieval fortified hamlet located among the hills south-west of Gaiole in Chianti. Erected mostly between the 10th and 13th century, the complex was restored in the 20th century. The castle now houses a winery and hosts contemporary art exhibitions.

Brolio Castle

The Brolio Castle is a castle located among the hills south of Gaiole in Chianti. The castle was erected starting in the 11th century and was restored in Gothic Revival style in the 20th century. Now the castle hosts a well-known historic winery.