A valuable addition to your Tuscan holiday would be a trip to the stunning Orange Flag awarded town of Montefollonico! It sits on a forested hill between Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia.
The town is thought to have received its name by the Romans who called the cloth weavers of the area ‘fullones’. Visitors wishing to explore the area for a day or two have plenty of exclusive villas the Val di Chiana and vacation rentals available in the Val d’Orcia areas to stay in an enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Montefollonico.
The town itself is thought to have developed between the twelfth and thirteenth century and the surrounding walls and towers were added a century later. It withstood many fierce battles from quarrelling communes and is one of the few towns in Italy today that have their original town walls almost entirely intact!
The town is thought to have received its name by the Romans who called the cloth weavers of the area ‘fullones’. Visitors wishing to explore the area for a day or two have plenty of exclusive villas the Val di Chiana and vacation rentals available in the Val d’Orcia areas to stay in an enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Montefollonico.
The town itself is thought to have developed between the twelfth and thirteenth century and the surrounding walls and towers were added a century later. It withstood many fierce battles from quarrelling communes and is one of the few towns in Italy today that have their original town walls almost entirely intact!
Narrow winding streets will lead tourists through a labyrinth of charming little houses up to the main piazza where the grand Town Hall stands. Nearby is a spectacular bell tower and a 15th century marble well to walk around and learn the history of. Montefollonico has a fantastic little tourist information office for anyone wishing to know the history of anything in this cosy commune!
For visitors that appreciate the arts, take a stroll around the church of St. Leonard which has a remarkable columned arch and ornately carved capitals. Although worth visits are the 17th century church of the Madonna del Triano and the parish church of St. Bartholomew.
Why not enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the town’s authentic restaurants; perhaps a tasty Tuscan specialty, pasta with a rich wild boar sauce and a small glass of Montefollonico’s famous Vin Santo. So popular is the making of Vin Santo in this town that it’s often called ‘Borgo del Vin Santo’ by neighbouring communes. It is a time consuming wine making process but the resulting liquor is meant to cure many pains and aliments! It is often served to visitors as soon as they visit a bar, restaurant or home of this welcoming town.
For visitors that appreciate the arts, take a stroll around the church of St. Leonard which has a remarkable columned arch and ornately carved capitals. Although worth visits are the 17th century church of the Madonna del Triano and the parish church of St. Bartholomew.
Why not enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the town’s authentic restaurants; perhaps a tasty Tuscan specialty, pasta with a rich wild boar sauce and a small glass of Montefollonico’s famous Vin Santo. So popular is the making of Vin Santo in this town that it’s often called ‘Borgo del Vin Santo’ by neighbouring communes. It is a time consuming wine making process but the resulting liquor is meant to cure many pains and aliments! It is often served to visitors as soon as they visit a bar, restaurant or home of this welcoming town.
The townspeople love their Vino Santo so much that they’ve named a December festival after the popular question asking someone if they’d like a shot of it. It’s called ‘Lo gradireste un goccio di Vinsanto?’ and would be a merry time of year for tourists to enjoy a warm welcoming atmosphere in a chilly month!
In May, visitors can enjoy watching the Palio dei Somari! It’s an amusing donkey race between eight contrada in the town. The main event is preceded by a colourful marching band and parade of many townspeople dressed in medieval clothing and waving the flags of their district. Enjoy the music, dancing and feasting that takes place under the stars that jolly night, especially in the neighbourhood of the winning jockey!
A visit to this heart warming town would be a treasured memory of your holiday to Tuscany!
In May, visitors can enjoy watching the Palio dei Somari! It’s an amusing donkey race between eight contrada in the town. The main event is preceded by a colourful marching band and parade of many townspeople dressed in medieval clothing and waving the flags of their district. Enjoy the music, dancing and feasting that takes place under the stars that jolly night, especially in the neighbourhood of the winning jockey!
A visit to this heart warming town would be a treasured memory of your holiday to Tuscany!
