Monteriggioni

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For a visitor getting out of Firenze it is easy compared to getting in. We used both GPS and Tuscany map for heading south to Siena on the way to Rome. Friends Linda and Aaron have spent time in Siena and told us it is a beautiful, intact walled Roman city. Jackie and I found the SR 2 and decided to follow it south. It is a very nice drive through all the small villages and towns down to Siena. The drive as seen in the movie "Letters to Juliet" was repeated by us over and over while we wound our way south. Rolling hills to small mountains are covered in vineyards and olive groves. Beautiful villas dot the countryside and each small town seems to be prettier than the last.

Past the town of Poggibonsi we sighted signs for the Castello di Monteriggioni and decided that would be a good stop as Jackie and I wanted to experience a small Tuscan village and have a wine tasting. The Firenze-Siena autostrdale passes across the SR-2 here so we got turned around and ended up going to Localita' Castello Della Magione which is the ancient home to the Knights Templar in this area. Masses are given in Tridentine Latin tradition and Knights reside in the residence to this day. In these instances it certainly is convenient to get lost.

We did not know the importance of Monteriggioni in Italian literature and history. As we approached it was easy to see that the wall of the castello is fully intact with an entrance facing Firenze and another facing Siena. From the time of it's construction in 1213 for over three hundred years it never fell to enemy attack.

Monterigionni was under attack by tourists the day we arrived with the "It's All About the Girls" Tuscany Rally. Twenty or so antique or exotic cars were parked in the piazza while the drivers were enjoying wine and conversation and about a hundred onlookers enjoyed viewing their cars. The bird man had his equally exotic birds of prey corralling the local pigeons.

We went to the Fattoria Castello Di Monteriggioni to sample some fantastic Chianti and other fine Tuscan wines. We left with four bottles that we planned on consuming in Rome. After our wine tasting we took photos of the surrounding hills from the ramparts, looked in on the 5 star hotel and 13 century church of Santa Maria. Next, we had a lazy drive down to Siena through some beautiful rolling countryside.

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Photos

Localita' Castello Della Magione
Knights Templar church and residence in Poggibonsi

Great Car
It's All About the Girls Tuscany Rally

Monteriggioni
Castello wall and towers.

Bird of prey
Trained for your entertainment

Nice Back End
Red and Black very nice

Comments

[John Coghlan]

Monteriggioni
A friend who lives in Siena, told me that when Siena play Firenze in Serie A football. The Siena fans chant, in Italian of course "we kicked your ass in Monteriggioni". In reference to an ancient battle.