Tour to Casole d‘Elsa
Casole d'Elsa is a citadel that can be found in strategically important location in the Val d'Elsa and has historically been a key point of Siena’s defence against Florence. Even today it retains the atmosphere of the "last outpost".
Highlights of our walk include the Romanesque monastery of the Servants of Mary at the entrance of the village, the Palazzo Porrina, Signori of Casole, built in the 14th Century, the Palazzo Pretorio with his family coats of arms in stone and the Citadel, the great castle built in 1352, which is now the town hall. We will also visit the magnificent church of Santa Maria Assunta: inside you can admire, among others, works by Rutilio Manetti and Marco Romano. Other important paintings by Bernardino Mei and Girolamo del Pacchia can be found in the Museum of Sacred Art, which is set up in the adjacent rectory.
Most of the massive wall with two fortified towers is still preserved. The whole defensive structure was built based on designs by the great Sienese architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
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Informations
| Meeting Point: | Casole d'Elsa or another meeting place by arrangement |
| Duration: | half day |
| Distance: | 25 km south of San Gimignano, transfer by own car |
| Price: | 165 € per group |