A few minutes away in a range of 30 km, are beautiful villages like San
Gimignano, Volterra, Monteriggioni, other known for their crafts like Colle Val d'Elsa, the amazing city of Siena, and the whole Chianti area.
CASOLE D'ELSA
Fascinating Medieval village on tp of a hill 418 m.a.s.l. in the wonderful countryside of the province of Siena
Casole d'Elsa, the village that hosts the country estate La Ciabatta has a great advantage, to be situated at the core of Tuscany. Equally distant from every place of interest for landscape, culture, art, food and wine, its peculiarity is infact that of being close to those places that made Tuscany known all over the world.
The landscape that Casole offers is truly breathtaking. In those days when the air is completely clear you can see North the Appennino mountain chain, North-East all the Chianti hills, East the mountains of Casentino beside Arezzo and the hills of Montagnola, besides which is Siena; towards South we can see the valley of river Elsa until seeing, very far away, the mount Amiata, situated at the very South of Tuscany and the Colline Metallifere (hills very rich in metals) with the characteristic geyser of Larderello. Towards West we can see the majesty of Volterra and the luxurious woods of Berignone.
SAN GIMIGNANO
Site of a small Etruscan village, as proved by the numerous archeological
foundings and tombs in its territory
It begun its history around the 10th century, taking its name from the Saint Bishop of Modena that in the VI century saved the village from the hordes of Totila. The city represents one of the most geniune examples of the medieval urban construction in Tuscany.
VOLTERRA
Of Etruscan origins, it is known today for its Alabaster industry
The origins of Volterra get lost in the fogs of history....when the ancient Villanovian site of Val di Cecina became the powerful Velathri, one of the Lucomonies of the Etruscan Dodecapolis. Many were the disputes during the Middel Ages with Pisa or Siena or Florence, now allies then enemies again, and the wars with the neighboring San Gimignano or the internal fight between Guelfi and Ghibellini. But basically (since 1361) Volterra was with the Guelfi and loyal to Florence, following its fate until the unification of Italy.
SIENA
Originally an Etruscan site that then became the Roman city of Sena Julia
Today's Siena developped under the Lombard Reign and in the XII century became an indipendent common. Throughout the centuries Siena sufferd in many battles but it's now recognised as one of the pearls of Tuscany. The unbelievable Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy and hosts the famous Palio that takes place twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th. The origin of the Palio go back to 1283 and still today it's run with enthusiasm by the 17 contradas (neighborhoods) of the city.
MONTERIGGIONI
For its beauty and its position has a natural touristic vocation, it is visited by 70.000 people each year
Monteriggioni is the typical example of fortified village. Inside there are private houses, 2 cafes, a food store, 2 restaurants, one souvenirs shop, one erboristeria (natural herbal pharmacy), one hotel and a shop that sells typical local products. Today the towers only go over the wall by 6.5 m and we can only see 11, the other 4, now at the same level of the wall, are no longer visible. After going through the main door of the castle and walking a few steps is Piazza Roma, the main square of the castle.
