Tuscany is a region in central Italy, stretching from the Northern Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Do you know those postcards and promotional photos of Italy that show picturesque serpentine roads surrounded by cypress trees? This is the symbol of Tuscany – just like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, aged ham, aromatic olive oil and, of course, wine. The long and rich tradition of winemaking in Tuscany makes it impossible to spend time in this region without tasting the local liquors. The best place to delight your taste buds is the famous Chianti wine region.
Via Chiantigiana, the Chianti Classico wine route
While in Tuscany, go for a ride on the Chiantigiana road (SR 222), which runs from Florence to Siena. This is a picturesque local route connecting these two cities. The narrow, winding streets are surrounded by cypress trees and the nearby hills are covered with olive groves and vineyards. It’s worth going out of your way to visit one of the vineyards and taste its produce. The tasting usually goes with a story about the region’s rich history. The production of the world-famous red wine Chianti Classico from carefully selected Sangiovese grapes takes place in the heart of Tuscany, in the legendary Chanti region. The original bottle of wine includes the Gallo Nero emblem – a black cockerel on a yellow background. Originally, Chianti consisted of just three villages – Radda in Chianti, Castellino in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti. Today, the region includes both Florence and Siena as well.
Along Via Chiantigiana you will see old villas and townhouses that create the landscape of the medieval hilltop towns of Tuscany. The scenes for films such as “Gladiator” and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” were shot here. But let’s start with Florence and Siena – the most important points on the SR 222 road.
Florence and Siena – the most popular Tuscan cities
Florence is the capital of the province of Florence and the whole of Tuscany. It attracts crowds of tourists, but this is hardly surprising. The cradle of the Renaissance guarantees stunning monuments and makes a great place for contemplation of art. The focal point of the city is Piazza della Signoria, where you can see the famous Neptune fountain with its sculpture made of white marble. Right next is the Palazzo Vecchio and one of Michelangelo’s most popular works, the sculpture of David (we are talking about a replica, the original is kept in the Galleria dell’Accademia museum). Florence is also home to eye-catching religious buildings, where you can enjoy extraordinary frescoes. These include the Church of Santa Maria Novella and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its characteristic red dome, towering over the city. Another symbol of Florence is the 14th-century stone bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, over the Arno River. Is it not enough? Then check out the famous Uffizi Gallery!
Siena stands in contrast to Florence. Although today it is a much smaller town, in the old days it was a serious rival to Florence. Nevertheless, tourists agree that the atmosphere of Siena is much calmer, as they choose Siena for longer stays. According to the legend, the descendants of Remus – Romulus’ brother – founded Siena. The highlight of the city is of course the main square, the Piazza del Campo with its distinctive shell shape. You can visit the Gothic Cathedral whose richly decorated facade delights even the greatest art connoisseurs. Other landmarks in Siena include the Fonte Gaia fountain and the Palazzo Pubblico, a palace dating back to the end of the 13th century. If you’re in good shape, head for the viewpoint on the Torre del Mangia tower – there are 400 steps to climb! Siena organises the famous Palio horse race, held twice a year, in July and August. If you love horses, shows and parades, plan a visit to Tuscany during this time. Finally, wine! After all, this is what Tuscany is known for. If you love sweet liquors, Siena’s got something for you in store – the local product vin santo.
Towns on top of the hills – fortified walls and traditional buildings
What’s distinctive of Tuscan towns is their location on top of the hills and carefully maintained, traditional buildings. Winding, narrow streets lead us to the town’s main square, and such a trek up the hill – though may be tiring – will reward you with breathtaking views of vineyards and olive groves. We recommend a trip to the town of San Quirico d’Orcia, where you’ll discover breathtaking Tuscan scenery – the view over the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO-listed valley. In San Quirico d’Orcia you can also see the house of the main character of the film “Gladiator”. As for the monuments, don’t forget the stone church of Collegiato di San Quirico and the fragments of city fortifications. Nowadays, San Quirico d’Orcia is a somewhat sleepy town, but it once played an important role in the communication route connecting Rome and Canterbury in England.
One of the Tuscan towns worth highlighting is San Gimignano, bearing the nickname of medieval Manhattan. Thanks to its famous towers, the historic part of the town was put on the UNESCO list. They date back to the 13th-14th century! Out of the 72 towers, only 14 remain to this today, the highest of which, Torre Grossa, is 52 metres high! The towers performed as a defense system and were a display of the wealth and power of the families who built them. Tourists usually visit Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo. It’s worth mentioning that the town is famous for the production of saffron, ice cream (supposedly the best in Italy!) and of course wine. In this case, it’s white wine with nutty notes, the famous Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
A paradise for those who value tranquillity
Although the Tuscan towns are rather quiet, it’s worth mentioning two places that will appeal to those who enjoy travelling without the crowds of tourists. Yes, it’s possible! The first is the small town of Montepulciano. You can still see here preserved defensive walls, while the narrow streets of the town lead to Piazza Grande. If you want to enjoy the best views, walk to Piazza di San Francesco to see such monuments as the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Palazzo Comunale and The Griffin and Lion well. In Montepulciano, the scenes for one of the parts of “The Twilight Saga” were filmed, but it’s hardly the most important aspect of this place. Tourists come here mainly to taste the local red wine – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Finally, a true Tuscan village, Monticchiello with traditional stone buildings with shutters, narrow streets and fortified walls. The main monument of the village is the church of Santi Leonardo e Cristoforo, where, during its renovation in 1933, medieval frescoes were discovered! In Monticchiello, the time has stopped, but it comes as a huge advantage. Get lost in the narrow roads, enjoy the views of the nearby olive groves, or take part in a performance of the local theatre. Don’t be surprised by the lack of tourists or even locals on the streets. You’ll find them gathered at the tables in restaurants. The peaceful Tuscan life, full of aromatic wine, simple but tasty cuisine and long, interesting conversations takes place right here.
