San Gimignano to Monteriggioni
A journey between old abbeys and beautiful towns
Depart: San Gimignano, Piazza della Cisterna Arrive: Monteriggioni, Piazza Roma
Distance: 29.8 km
Time: 71⁄2 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
From San Gimignano the stage is 29.8 km and takes about 7 hours.
Leaving San Gimignano you take a switchback track towards the village of Santa Lucia. The track then descends towards the Foci river until it reaches the parish church. Crossing the bridge over the Elsa, you reach the Romanesque church of San Martino di Strove. Beyond the Abbadia a Isola complex, you start to see Monteriggioni, with its walls and majestic crown of towers dominating the hill.
Water and refreshments are only available in towns and villages.
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni was fortified by the Sienese in 1202; the castle-town’s perfectly-preserved curtain wall looks like a crown of towers.
About 4 km from Monteriggioni is the Abbey of St Salvator on the Island); built along the route of the Via Francigena, it provided hospitality to travellers and pilgrims. Now there is only a beautiful Romanesque church.
Foto di Antonio Cinotti