In this day tour in Tuscany we’ll soon leave for San Gimignano. This medieval city on a hill is such a precious testimony as to be considered part of mankind’s cultural heritage by UNESCO. Its typical skyline boasts fourteen ancient towers. We’ll visit the Cathedral or Minster, also from the middle Ages, and the renowned art gallery. One may ascend the “torre grossa” (the “big tower”), and enjoy the panorama of the whole countryside around Siena. Or walk among olive trees near the Rocca (fortress) of Montestaffoli, visit the famous museum dedicated to torture over the centuries, and finally visit the magnificent city hall.
We’ll have lunch with typical products of this territory, and drink the wine for which San Gimignano is renowned: the Vernaccia.
In the afternoon, we’ll reach Volterra, a larger and impressive city, and a jewel that dominates the Val di Cecina down to the sea. Volterra was a cradle to Etruscan, Roman, medieval and Renaissance civilisation and culture. Its history spans three thousand years, and filled the city with a wealth of artistic and monumental testimonies, among them the beautiful Piazza dei Priori with the city hall, the gates and the great walls dating from the thirteenth century, and the ruins of the Roman theatre. The best way to know Volterra is walking down its paved alleys with the typical alabaster workshops. We’ll also see the large city park, dominated by the Fortress built by the Medici, with its high tower, the “Rocca del Mastio”, and then end our tour with a view on the unique, disquieting Balze (“The Crags”), carved by wind and water in the hills around.
Return late in the afternoon to the city chosen for the start.