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Art of living, art of good food and just plain art: how can you not fall for the discrete charm of Tuscany? For lovers of bucolic decor and authenticity, an overview of its most beautiful villages. Follow the guide...
Cetona
Located on the slopes of Mount Cetona, the town preserves its characteristic Medieval structure with alleys spiralling their way through the burg and culminating at the fortress. Visit the prehistoric Belvedere site, dating back 40,000 years.
Poppi
The old town of Poppi is situated on a hill in the midst of the Casentino valley. At its summit is the castle. This is a magical place dominating over a closed in world. From this vantage point, the reigning lord could look over all of his properties every day.
Pienza
In the province of Siena, Pienza saw its destiny change in the 15th century, on the day its most illustrious representative, Pope Pius II, decided to make of it «the ideal city,» commissioning Bernardo Rosselino to rebuild it in the then emerging Renaissance style. Around the Piazza Pio II, the Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Borgia and Cathedral bear witness to this extraordinary vision, making the historic centre of Pienza one of the most beautiful in the world.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano delle belle Torri is situated 50 km south of Florence. Once an important relay point for pilgrims on their way to Rome or travelling back on the Via Francigena. The noble families who controlled the city had built some 72 tower-houses (rising up to 50 m in height), symbols of their wealth and power. Today, only 14 of these remain, but San Gimignano has preserved its feudal atmosphere and appearence. San Gimignano delle belle Torri is also replete with masterpieces of Italian art from the 14th and 15th centuries, and its historic centre is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Montefioralle
Montefioralle is perhaps one of the most ancient villages in the Chianti region, and is still encircled by its original walls. At the village's highest point, visit the Church of S. Stefano, rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. Montefioralle is also worth a detour for its magnificent castle and vantage point over the surrounding hills.
Montalcino
Of Etruscan origin, this ancient village perched above the Ombrone and Asso valleys offers a broad panorama extending from the sea to the mountains, unveiling a countryside rich with lush forests and superb vineyards. Montalcino is also rich in historic monuments, such as Palazzo Comunale, the monastery of San Antimo, the Diocesan Museum, and the Rocca, a fortress built on a pentagonal plan with battlements and towers at its summit, erected by the Sienese in the 14th century. The village is also renowned for its Brunello, a red wine with a world class reputation.
Montepulciano
Typically Renaissance, a «veritable jewel of war of ferocious beauty, set in its battlements with a distinct design akin to a geometric drawing,» according to writer Paul Bourget, Montepulciano is renowned for its majestic palaces, the elegant beauty of its churches and its «vino nobile,» one of Tuscany's most appreciated wines worldwide.
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is a tiny Medieval hamlet situated on a small hill around 10 kilometres from Siena and 45 kilometres from Florence. Today, it numbers a mere hundred or so inhabitants, and essentially comprises old houses and a large central square with a beautiful church, the «Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta.» Monteriggioni has inspired numerous legends which make reference to secret underground passageways and hidden treasures… Its unique Medieval profile makes it a sought after location for filmmakers and advertising firms.
Volterra
Along the lines of Veii, Volterra was once an important Etruscan centre; having become a Medieval city, signs of this evolution are still visible in its architectural structure, perched on a hillside, surrounded by battlements and dominated by a fortress (later a prison).
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