About Tuscany. The most important cities of art like Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Lucca, Pisa.

FLORENCE
Situated on the banks of the Arno river valley and set among low hills covered with olive groves and vineyards, Florence is immediatly captivating.
Cradle of the renaissance and sometime home of Machiavelli, Michelangelo and the Medicis, the city seems unfairly burdened with art, culture and history. Most of the major sights are within easy walking distance, from the Piazza San Giovanni (also Piazza Duomo), to Via De' Calzaiuoli, you can reach the Palazzo Vecchio, than Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and the Basilica di Santa Croce. Other monuments or museums are in the immediatly nearness.

SIENA
Siena is without doubts one of the most enchantin cities.
Its medieval centre bristles with majestic Gothic buildings, such as the 'Palazzo Pubblico' on the main square, Piazza del Campo (place where every year is run the 'Palio di Siena'), while the churches, museums and public buildings are home to an extraordinary treasure-trove of art.
Like Florence, Siena offers an incredible concentration of thing to see, but it can be appreciated also in a day trip.

Related links: turist informations - www.terresiena.it

SAN GIMIGNANO (Siena)
One of the most suggestive towns of the world, with its 14 towers,
San Gimignano - a medieval walled towns- rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers.
The towers were symbols of the power and wealth of the city's medieval families, and once numbered 72.
Originally a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC) it began its life as a town in the 10th century taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian assault.

Related links: www.comune.sangimignano.si.it - www.sangimignano.com

PISA
One of the most popular town with its Leaning Tower.
Here you can admire the cathedral in the 'Campo dei miracoli' square.
Pisa has also a centuries-old tradition as a university town and even today is fully of young students.

MONTERIGGIONI (Siena)
This captivating walled medieval stronghold is just 12 km north of Siena. Established in 1203 as a forward defensive position against Florence, the walls and towers today constitute one of the most complete examples of such a fortified bastion in Tuscany.

Related links: www.monteriggionicastle.com

LUCCA
Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, Lucca is a pretty base from wich to explore the 'Garfagnana' and 'Apuane Alps', and is well worth a visit in its own right. Founded by Etruscan, Lucca became a Roman colony in 180 BC and free commune during the 12th century, initiating a period of prosperity based on the silk trade.

MASSA MARITTIMA (Grosseto)
Without doubt this is the most interesting town in the 'Maremma'. Its prossimity to the sea and pretty medieval centre makes it a good place to visit. Dating back to the 8th century, the walled nucleos of the old town was already in place by the 12th.

Pictures Courtesy of johan.jacobs.net

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Find out tourist information for your holiday in tuscany:

Florence
Chianti
Florence surroundings
Valdelsa
Lower valdarno
Siena
San Gimignano
Pisa
Volterra
Lucca

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