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Monteriggioni - strada delle cerreta 7
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In the heart of the Siena countryside lies the splendid village of Monteriggioni, a truly enchanting and unique place in the world. Perched atop a hilltop and surrounded by perfectly preserved circular walls, Monteriggioni is one of the must-see destinations during a tour of Tuscany.
In fact, the Monteriggioni that everyone knows is only a tiny part of the municipality of the same name, which has over 10,000 inhabitants and comprises numerous hamlets, some inhabited by only a few dozen people. The historic centre, also called the Castle, is very small but extremely evocative.
Visiting Monteriggioni, you’ll find yourself immersed in a distinctly medieval atmosphere, so much so that several films have been shot here. Furthermore, every July the medieval festival is held, when the streets and squares of the historic village come alive with celebrations and recreations of past centuries featuring costumed dances, performances and various events.
The historic centre of Monteriggioni is truly very small: it has an approximately circular shape, with a diameter of just 170 metres. It goes without saying that walking around it is straightforward – there are few streets and buildings. But it’s the atmosphere you breathe that makes Monteriggioni a true Tuscan gem. As you explore the village, don’t miss the main attractions, which we’ve listed below.
The walls of Monteriggioni have an elliptical shape and are 2 metres thick. They’re interspersed with 15 towers and two gates, and it’s possible to stroll along the two walkways by purchasing an entrance ticket at the ticket office, which you’ll find directly beneath them. The walk along Monteriggioni’s walls offers magnificent views, both of the village and the Siena countryside.
Note that it’s not possible to complete a full circuit of the walls, but only two sections, called the southern walkway and northern walkway. They’re open daily from 09:30 to 13:30 and from 14:00 to 19:30, and your entrance ticket also gives you access to a small museum.
Porta Franca, or Porta Romea (as it faces towards Rome), and Porta Fiorentina, or San Giovanni Gate, are the two main entrances to the village. They’re located at opposite ends of the centre and are connected by Via I Maggio, which runs through Monteriggioni from east to west.
From Porta Fiorentina there’s a beautiful view of the Siena hills, and it’s definitely less busy than Porta Romea, which overlooks the public car park and is therefore the main entrance to the town.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta overlooks Piazza Roma, Monteriggioni’s main square. It’s a small church dating from the early 1200s, with a stone façade that’s austere and in Romanesque style, featuring a central doorway topped by an arch and a rose window.
The interior has a barrel-vaulted roof and consists of a single, simple nave with few ornaments, where you can admire two tabernacles and a painting of the Madonna by Lippo Vanni, all in a tranquil and serene atmosphere.
Behind the Church of Santa Maria Assunta stands the bell tower, with a square base, dating from the 18th century.
About 20 minutes’ drive from Monteriggioni heading east along the SP74 road, after passing through the idyllic village of Strove, you’ll reach the Pieve di Santa Maria a Castello, one of the most interesting things to see in the Monteriggioni area. It’s a church whose origins are lost in time, as it was already consecrated back in 971.
Nowadays, after more than a millennium, the church has undergone some changes: the façade we see today is simple and displays a late medieval portal and an eye-shaped opening. Inside there are neoclassical decorations and two large rectangular windows. Next to the pieve is the Baptistry of San Giovanni Battista, octagonal in shape, with bare external walls and blind arches inside.
Monteriggioni has gained international fame also because it featured in the popular Assassin’s Creed video game series. In particular, in the episodes Assassin’s Creed II and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Monteriggioni Castle is the seat of the Auditore family residence, as well as being the location of the assassins’ crypt.
The difference between the real Monteriggioni and the one in the video game is that an additional section was added to the latter, in which the Auditore Villa was “constructed”, complete with the luxurious gardens surrounding it.
In the historic centre of Monteriggioni there are a few small bed and breakfasts and guesthouses. Stay here if you want to have the little village all to yourself in the evening, when the day-trippers have returned home.
If instead you’d like to enjoy the Tuscan countryside, stay in one of the many farmhouses in the area. They come in all types and categories: choose the one that best suits your style and budget.
Monteriggioni is easily reached by car, as it’s well served by the Florence-Siena motorway junction: the exit is called Monteriggioni. It’s approximately an hour from the centre of Florence, while from Siena it takes only 20 minutes.
In the hamlet of Castellina Scalo, about 4 kilometres from Monteriggioni’s centre, you’ll find the Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni railway station, where regional trains stop on the Empoli-Siena line. Therefore, if you want to reach Monteriggioni by train, you can get off here and continue by bus number 130, which terminates at La Colonna hamlet. From there, a pleasant 20-25 minute walk along an unpaved road that climbs the hillside will take you directly to the centre.
What's the weather at Monteriggioni? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Monteriggioni for the next few days.
Monteriggioni sits in the province of Siena, roughly halfway between the provincial capital and Poggibonsi. The charming historic centre perches atop a hilltop, surrounded by stunning Tuscan countryside.
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