Explore Monteriggioni, A Picturesque Medieval Hamlet

Enjoy a suggestive location nestled in the heart of the Sienese country

Monteriggioni lays on a natural hillock, and is surrounded by a wall connecting 15 towers. There are two portals giving access to the fortification, and inside you can enjoy some relevant medieval buildings. Monteriggioni was been built by the Siena city government between 1214 and 1219 as a defensive fortification during the war with Florence. Indeed, the main cultural and political centers of Tuscany, such as Siena, Florence, Pisa, Volterra, and many others used to wage war against each other in order to gather the role of the leading city of Tuscany.

Challenge your dizziness by walking along the town walls

There are two main entrances to the city, one on the north and one on the south side of town. One of these portals is placed towards Florence, and it is called “Porta Fiorentina”, the other is placed toward Rome, and it is called “Porta Romana”.

Passing through the entrance gates, you will be surprised by the height of the walls and its towers. Since 2005, two of the medieval watch paths along the town walls have been available.

Walking on the top of the walls, you can experience a terrific panorama of the Chianti Hills, just as the medieval soldiers used to do during their long watches. Moreover three castellated towers on a red background are the official emblem of the town.

Discover an almost untouched medieval hamlet

Once you get into Monteriggioni you can admire some rare examples of medieval architecture. In the picture above you can see the main square and the main church of the town, a well preserved Romanesque church built in 1213. The church is devoted to the Virgin Mary, and consists only in a rectangular nave. The facade was completed by 1235, and it’s assembled with travertine stones with golden veining. Nowadays, the church and the main square are still surrounded by vegetable gardens, that during the past, were used to feed the inhabitants of Monteriggioni.

Live a stunning experience during Monteriggioni's Medieval Fest

The best period to visit Monteriggioni is summertime. Indeed every year, between June and July you can experience a really well organized Medieval fest. In the middle of July 2015, the whole town have celebrated its glorious past wearing professional designed clothes and filling squares and alleys with their colors.

To take part to the event you need to buy a ticket allowing you to take a trip to the Middle Ages! During the festival, all transactions are done with medieval coins, so you’ll have to change your money upon entering the town. If you want to buy some food, or every kind of gadget and souvenir you will need to change your money with fake medieval coins, the currency they used centuries and centuries ago.

Visit Monteriggioni during its well known Medieval fest and you will attend to a lot of different games, activities, shows and plays.