San Gimignano, Siena and surroundings
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San Gimignano is built on the top of a picturesque hill over looking the Val d’Elsa. It is called the “Manhattan” of the middle ages due to the number of the city’s towers. In the fourteenth century there were 72 towers as opposed to the 15 of the present day. We recommend the wonderful view over the city’s towers and suggest that visitors climb Torre Grossa (54 metres high), an unforgetable experience!
The history of the city is clearly shown through its architecture and in its art treasures all of which have been faithfully preserved for future generations.
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Volterra is unique. It stands on a solitary hill, overlooking the surrounding countryside. Volterra boasts the artistic wealth of a city whose moments of glory were inevitably linked to its historical past and the events it witnessed. The town’s traditional craft is the working of alabaster and the carvers’ workshops add a characteristic note to Volterra. Alabaster is a clear rock, that because of its softness is easier to elaborate than marble. As if it was the stone of the gods, the Etruscans have used it to richly decorate the coffins and the urns.
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Siena’s Piazza del Campo is one of the most famous and typical of Italy with its original shell-like shape and cobble stone pavements. It is here that twice a year, on the 2nd of July and on the 16th of August, the traditional Palio horse-race is run. From the above mentioned square one can wander through the alley ways and climb the steps heading towards the cathedral decorated by Giovanni Pisano. It is of white marble with green marble from Prato and red marble from Siena.
The richly sculptured decorations make it one of Pisano’s masterpieces. That the inhabitants appreciate their gorgeous birthplace can be noticed easily, when Siena organizes the traditional horse races, the so-called Palio, twice a year. |
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- San Gimignano:
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