자연 보호 구역 라 피에트라 최고의 사이클링 경로

The perimeter walls are still partially visible, especially in the southern section, where an arched gate surmounted by three rounded stones stands. At the highest point of the hill stands the imposing stone keep, which extends around a courtyard. Within the walls is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 13th century but completely renovated in the late 19th century. It has a distinctive urban layout, dominated by an imposing stone keep arranged around a courtyard accessed through two round-arched gates, defended by a large tower with a massive base.

Loop starting from Monticiano (Si) by i'Lupo che cammina

Massa Marittima is a fortified medieval village located on a hill, known for its beauty and wealth of artistic and architectural heritage. Key attractions include the magnificent Piazza Garibaldi, with the Cathedral of San Cerbone, the Palazzo del Podestà, and the Palazzo Comunale. Other points of interest include the Fonti dell'Abbondanza with its famous fresco of the Tree of Fertility and, in the upper town, the Torre del Candeliere and the Cassero Senese within the medieval walls.

The Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano is one of Tuscany's most beautiful sights. This majestic 13th-century church, missing its roof, is a true icon of the region, nestled in a magnificent natural setting filled with all the stereotypes for which Tuscany is famous worldwide: rolling hills, vineyards, and rows of cypress trees. A truly unusual silhouette rises from this panorama. Only the walls and the apse remain of the old church, a silhouette as ghostly as it is fascinating, which is precisely why, despite its rather isolated location, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. As if this weren't enough to make you consider visiting, the Abbey of San Galgano is also close to the hermitage of Montesiepi, reachable on foot via a path of no more than 15 minutes. This important place of worship houses the sword in the stone, one of the miracles of San Galgano, who stuck it into the stone, where it has remained for 800 years.

The Montesiepi Hermitage was built immediately after the saint's death, over the ancient hut where San Galgano lived during his last year (1181). The hermitage was consecrated in 1185 by the bishop of Volterra, Ildebrando Pannocchieschi. The small complex consists of the circular church interrupted only by the small apse, the chapel with frescoes by Lorenzetti, and the entrance porch. In the porch, look down to the left and look for an "original" medieval plaque that reminds the pilgrim... that he must die and that life is short. The original church was circular, then the entrance hall was added in 1200. The bell tower and Lorenzetti's chapel were added in the following century. The rectory dates back to the 18th century. The dome, constructed from alternating rows of white stones, is extremely elegant. Inside the Hermitage, in the center of the Rotonda, there is the famous Sword of San Galgano, stuck in the rock for over 800 years.

Massa Marittima is a municipality located in the southern area of the Colline Metallifere, an area that has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as documented by numerous archaeological finds. The settlement is thought to be of Etruscan origin, but the city's most important period began in the 9th century, when it became a bishop's seat. From then until the 14th century, the city reached its peak splendor, thanks in part to the area's abundant mineral resources.

In 1335, Massa Marittima lost its political autonomy, having to yield to the conquest of Siena, which had long been attempting to seize control of the Massa Marittima mines. A period of economic and demographic decline followed, further exacerbated by the plague of 1348. Despite the serious problems, however, mining activity was never completely abandoned, although it was certainly significantly reduced. The Medici family, who incorporated the province of Siena into the Grand Duchy in 1557, attempted some interventions to promote the area's recovery, while a significant revival occurred in 1737 with the arrival of the House of Lorraine as successors to the extinct Medici family.

Every August 14th the Palio dei Ciuchi takes place, a very heartfelt folkloristic event where the five districts (Corso, Ventosa, Torre, Tramonto and Nobili) compete for a banner painted by local artists. During the same month, "Medioevo nel Borgo" is also organized, a suggestive medieval festival known throughout Tuscany with jugglers, musicians, acrobats and stalls with artisanal products, for a leap into the past.