Tuscany is really a vast region, and
with so many beautiful and exceptional places to visit that one never
stops to get surprised by new fabulous and unexpected corners; and
that’s true even for people living here, like me
So, you may consider the following guideline on the most scenic and fascinating medieval Tuscan villages,
that shouldn’t be missed from any itinerary in Tuscany! These hill
towns are all characterized by spectacular scenery, unforgettable
vistas, great history and interesting museums, beautiful buildings and
great events.
Of course, this is just a personal listing of the smaller medieval towns in Tuscany, and there’s no particular order, as all the following Tuscan villages are equally extraordinary and impressive. And here are some of the most beautiful villages in Italy as well!
Best Tuscan Towns and Villages
And here is the top list of the best villages in Tuscany
with a brief description, while you’ll find a full post entirely
dedicated to each of these fantastic destinations on clicking their
links:
1. San Gimignano
San Gimignano: Located in the province of Siena, San Gimignano is probably the most famous and well known Tuscan village and surely the best preserved medieval town of all Italy. The 15 scenic towers (so many as 72 in the Middle Ages!) of its beautiful skyline are unique and unmistakable.
In addition to its charming towers, the village is also famous for
its crowds, lovely views, and the wonderful Collegiata, an ancient
church with beautiful and notable frescoes. This town has mostly
remained as it was and this really contributes to its suggestive and suspended atmosphere.
2. Volterra
Volterra:
Perched on a steep rocky promontory and standing completely isolated,
this lesser known, yet beautiful Tuscan town, offers one of the best and
vastest view, and is to be recommended for anyone visiting Tuscany. Piazza dei Priori is wonderful, while the Balze
of Volterra are unique: natural canyons that make the cityscape of the
village unique and imposing at the same time. Volterra is famous for its
alabaster production, with shops selling lovely artefacts, and the Museo Guarnacci is one the most important Etruscan museums displaying amazing finds.
3. Cortona
Cortona:
In the province of Arezzo stands this ancient and charismaric
hill-town, holding a dominant position and offering striking and extensive views
all over the Valdichiana up to Mount Amiata and the Trasimeno Lake. In
recent years, tourists have incredibly increased after the filming of
the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”,
from the novel of the American Frances Mayes. Imposing fortified walls
encompass the entire city and the Fortezza del Girifalco. If you love
visiting museums, that’s the place to be: you can see several valued
paintings at the Diocesan Museum, like the Annunciation by Beato
Angelico, and at the Museum of the Etruscan Academy (MAEC).
4. Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni: This small medieval hamlet near Siena, is unique and owns a great charm: a fortified citadel
with perfectly preserved walls and bastions with 14 towers enclosing a
tiny ancient village, consisting of few houses, a restaurant and some
touristic shops. The museum within the castle hosts an interesting
collection of medieval and Renaissance arms and armors.
5. Pienza
Pienza:
A real jewel! The Ideal city of Pienza is wonderfully set in the Val
d’Orcia region, south of Siena. Designed as a utopian city of the
Renaissance during the 15th century by the humanist Pope Pius II. Few
places in Tuscany have such an extraordinary charm: the beatiful Piazza Pio II
with the lovely well, Palazzo Piccolomini and its panoramic and
suspended garden, outstanding views from the walls, good restaurants,
and inviting shops with delicious local produce, lke the tasty and
famous pecorino cheese of Pienza!
6. Montalcino
Montalcino: Renowned worldwide for its fine and prestigious production of wine, especialy the Brunello, Montalcino is a typical hill top town enclosed by massive walls and watched by an imposing and pefectly preserved castle and fortress.
The views are extraordinary: olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills all
around. Close to Pienza and Montepulciano, this scenic village is also
near the wonderful and important abbeys of Sant Antimo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
7. Montepulciano
Montepulciano:
East of Pienza lies one of the most beautiful medieval Tuscan towns,
characterized by elegant Renaissance palaces and ancient churches, like
the beautiful church of San Francesco. Also Montepulciano is well known
for the fine production of its Vino Nobile wine. From the top of the
beautiful Palazzo del Comune in Piazza Grande, you’ll get an enchanting and vast panorama all over the valley. In Montepulciano you’ll also find an important thermal establishment, whose therapeutic and healing proprieties were known since Renaissance times.
8. Pitigliano
Pitigliano:
Pitigliano is located in the most southern part of Tuscany, in the
province of Grosseto and north of Rome, rising over a spectacular and scenic cliff-top of tuff, with medieval buildings standing as if suspended in the air above the valley.
From the wonderful Piazza della Repubblica, characterized by two wonderful fountains, a balcony offers a unique and unforgettable panorama over the river and the enchanting Tuscan countryside. With Sovana and Sorano,
the so-called città del tufo, Pitigliano represents one of the lesser
known, yet incredibly attractive corners of Tuscany, that should deserve
much more attention.
Finally, I have to say that Tuscany is so incredibly full of many
other wonderful places, spread all across the region, that you could go
on filling in the list forever
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