Urbino to Tuscany

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We said goodbye to Laura our host at il monchetta b&b, after giving her a small gift to thank her for looking after us so well, to venture on the next stage of our trip which began with a drive back through Marche and into Tuscany where we stumbled upon a lovely lakeside town: Passignano Sul Trasimeno which means by the Trasimeno lake. Surprisingly again an old sector with this time 'Assisi like' architecture: probably Florence or Pisa style. As we do, we wandered here and there taking heaps of photos and checking out any 'vendesi' signs! Michael reckons we found a good one with views over the lake but we don't know how much: yet. Downside was expensive coffee! 2euros each where most places were 1 or 1:50. Upside: cafes and restaurants everywhere like st kilda but with beautiful views.

Dragging ourselves away we proceeded to San Gamignano and found our accommodation which is always a challenge in these hillside old cities. Flat maps are hard to equate to hilly terrain with steep roads, one way streets and steps everywhere. The journey there was beautiful going through the rolling hills of Tuscany with olives groves, grape vines and artichoke gardens. Hard not to run off the road whilst landscape gazing with jaw dropping views.

The atmosphere of Tuscany is hard to describe: there is a magical lightness about it as though the countryside is aglow..There is another vendesi here: we just need share holders!

The rest of the day was spent eating a local pizza (YUM) followed by wandering around the sights of San Gamignano: we will now let the photos speak for themself.

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Photos

Ferry station
There are two islands on the lake: complete with castles

City
Note the levels and arches: unusual round room

Nice door: nice view
Any takers?

View from apartment for sale
Wow!

Amazing mix of stone and brick
Built on and over the existing rock face

Tuscany
A taste but photos don't always give the best copy

Private courtyard
How nice heh?

Old door
Very different style and cos we have to have a door photo

Twin towers and mayoral tower
There is a story to this! Ask us when we get back - amazing San Gamignano is considered the 'town of towers' - once there were 77

Magic
This is a good representation of how beautiful this town is

Varied Architectural styles
This depicts three different styles as neighbours try to undo each other with 'art' and demonstration of their wealth

Central well: piazza cistern
The town has a never ending supply of underground water even to the top of the highest part. Until 40 years ago all residents still drew water from these wells: 800 years of constant use

View from top castle wall
The town had many changes most importantly of which was the building of a second wall in the 15th century to enclose the expanded city: however much of this was pulled down in the 1500s. Much relied on the whim of the most powerful family of the time or the 'mayor'

Amazing doorstops
This theme was present throughout the city - we don't know its significance yet

Comments

[deborah mason]

Wow!
What a build that would be.

[deb mason]

I much prefer the life overlooking a lake than the sea. So sublime....... How much????