Surroundings of San Gimignano
Bed&Breakfast Il Cardino a
San Gimignano (Siena)
Best places to stay in San Gimignano Italy
13 km from Antico Borgo Il Cardino
SAN GIMIGNANO AND THE TOWERS OF POWER
The town of San Gimignano rose to prominence when the Bishop of Volterra established a weekly market there, then in 949 it was established as a borough and in 998 it surrounded itself with an initial wall enclosing a section of the Via Francigena.
Passing under Guelph and then Ghibelline hands, the merchant class flourished in the 1200s with the famous towers symbolizing power, once as many as 72! Today we can still admire the twin towers of the Ardinghelli, the Lupi tower, tower and Cetti palace.
Not to be missed: the magnificent Cathedral Square with a view of the Collegiate Church.
Best places to stay in San Gimignano Italy
17.5 km from Antico Borgo Il Cardino
VOLTERRA AND ITS MILLENARY GRANDEUR
Volterra, in its Etruscan and medieval walls, stands solitary on the heights of Valdera and Val di Cecina.
The “city of alabaster” offers striking views: from the erosive phenomenon of the “Balze” to the typical medieval tower-houses, as well as splendid churches such as San Michele Arcangelo, the Etruscan Arch and the imposing Fortress, with the ancient Roman archaeological area.
Don’t miss: Piazza dei Priori with the palace of the same name and the Pretorio Palace, Piazza san Giovanni with the characteristic Pisan-style Cathedral and the octagonal Baptistery of the 13th century, the Cathedral and the Museum of Romanesque and Renaissance Sacred Art.
24.2 km from Antico Borgo Il Cardino
MONTERIGGIONI AND THE TOWERS
Don’t miss: a few hours after sunrise, a unique backlight effect erases the town of Monteriggioni, leaving only the outline of the striking turreted walls visible against the clear background of the sky.
26 km from Antico Borgo Il Cardino
CERTALDO AND THE TUSCAN HILLS
The rolling Elsa hills area is rich in Etruscan and Roman-imperial archaeological evidence.
Certaldo has a typical rural location and is a key destination for lovers of Tuscan art and culture.
Don’t miss: Boccaccio’s house and the Palazzo Pretorio, with still visible messages from the prisoners who were imprisoned there.
31 km from Antico Borgo Il Cardino
CHIANTI AND WINE
The name Chianti seems to derive from the Latin word “clangor,” recalling the noise of hunting parties in the area’s forelands.
The Chianti Hills cradle the DOCG red wine known and appreciated worldwide and touch Florence, Siena and Arezzo, Valdarno and Val di Chiana: the highest peak is Monte San Michele (893 meters above sea level) in the municipality of Greve in Chianti (FI).
39.6 km from Antico Borgo Il Cardino
SIENA AND THE PALIO
Italy’s most famous race is run twice a year, on July 2 (Palio di Provenzano) and August 16 (Palio dell’Assunta), in the unique setting of the stunning Piazza del Campo, under the Torre del Mangia in Siena. The winning contrada is awarded the colorful banner and can afford to look down on the other contrade for a year. Spectacular rehearsals and related events take place in the days immediately preceding and following the race.