2023 Sunday Oct. 15

San Gimignano to Colle Val d'Elsa

Richard’s relive video of our walk to Colle Val d’Elsa:  https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq5exyn7Qq

The town was surprising to us for its spread out size and extreme elevation changes. The main town resembles a “T” with our town entrance at the base of the T at its highest point. from there, the elevation drops to a town square near the top of the “T.”

 

Arriving at the city walls.

 

Richard enters the Porta Nova.

 

Behind Richard is the Cathedral with its bell tower.

 

Interior of the Cathedral of Saints Alberto and Marziale.

 

Still in the old town, but the street is narrow and steep.

 

This shows the elevation difference between the old town (at the top of the “T” and the height nearer the Porta Nova (at the bottom of the T”).

 

The Church of San Agostino was began in 1305 and has been transformed and is considered XVI century construction today.

 

The interior of the Church of San Agostino.

 

The town square at Piazza Arnolfo di Cambio, named for the architect and sculptor born here (died 1302) who is famous for designing the Florence cathedral.

 

Heading back through the town for our dinner near Porta Nova. Lots of climbing! There is an elevator for part some of the distance but it was not in working order.

 

Sunset as we are ready for dinner atop the city wall.

 

One last view before heading off to bed. Our restaurant was atop the tower on the far left.

 

Comments:

Wanda Penner: I am glad to see you are on the road again. 2023/10/17 at 5:13 am

Reply: Thank you, Wanda. 2023/10/17 at 6:02 am

Unknown: Beautiful photos. 2023/10/17 at 3:16 pm

Julia Holman: What a perfect location to end your day! I love the old stone roads amd the detail to the sidewalks. 2023/10/18 at 2:41 pm

Reply: We did have a beautiful visit in Colle Val d’Elsa. It cannot be on many folks’ radar but I loved it! 2023/10/18 at 7:16 pm

Dan Hendry: Sorry the town had so much elevation! Not what you want to see when you get to your resting place! 2023/10/18 at 6:28 pm

Reply: When we’re expecting the elevation, it’s really not too bad. We were very surprised by the elevation change in Colle Val d’Elsa, but we had arrived early afternoon so there was some recovery time. 2023/10/18 at 7:26 pm

Dan Hendry: Not fun to reach your stop and then have all that “elevation” to negotiate. Think I would have hired a cab at this point! 2023/10/18 at 6:32 pm

Reply: No cabs around or the temptation would certainly have been there. Too bad the elevator was out of order—it might have been interesting to give that a try. 2023/10/18 at 7:27 pm

Kathy Nichols: Surprising to see a somewhat plain interior in the church here. Is that common in Italy? Only cathedrals are highly decorated? 2023/10/19 at 4:51 am

Reply: We sometimes see different styles, but I think it also has a lot to do with WWII bombings and the rebuilding afterwards. Most of the cathedrals are amazing, though!!! 2023/10/19 at 6:06 am