Innovative tour of Colle di Val d'Elsa in a vintage Fiat 500

Description

Monuments
4 Hours
*Guide
Views
Tablets
*Tasting

THE VILLAGE

Colle di Val d’Elsa, a Sienese village renowned especially for its crystal manufacturing, and already known by the Nineteenth century as the “Boemia d’Italia”, is divided into two parts: Colle Alta, on the top of the hill, the most ancient part, and Colle Bassa, at the bottom, the more recent part. Located a few kilometres away from Monteriggioni and San Gimignano, due to its position it has for centuries been the target of the historical feud between two cities, Siena and Florence. The two had fought for a long time to gain control over the village crossed by the Francigena road - the spring of wealth.

HISTORY

Colle di Val d’Elsa has been mentioned by sources since the X century, often having the reputation of a city involved in fights and wars with the nearby districts. Colle di Val d’Elsa was on the Ghibelline side for a short period, though it soon became a loyal member of the Guelph one. This stance made Siena burn with rage, so that the tension grew until reaching its peak with the famous battle of Colle in 1269. The fight saw the Guelph army of Colle and Florence on one side, the Ghibelline one of Siena on the other. The victory of the Guelph was crucial for the political balance of the region, especially considering that in the Montaperti battle (1260) it was taken over by the Ghibelline Sienese. Even in the following centuries Colle was involved in many Tuscan battles. Only with the so called “Unità d’Italia” (when Italy was finally reunited under one reign) the city was incorporated into the province of Siena.

THE ROUTE

Get on board of one of our vintage Fiat 500s and we will drive you through an interactive tour experience. To reach Colle di Val d'Elsa, after leaving Siena, you will travel along a country road, from which you can enjoy suggestive views overlooking the Chianti countryside, famous for its wines, and come across enchanting villages, such as Fonterutoli . Once in Colle di Val d'Elsa, you can park your Fiat 500 in the square indicated by the navigator and visit the city in complete autonomy. Upon returning, you will travel along the fascinating roads in the woods of the Sienese hill, passing through delightful places such as Abbadia Isola, an intermediate stop on the route. Interactive videos will guide you to discover the abbey founded in 1001 by Countess Ava, daughter of Count Zanobi and widow of Ildebrando Signore di Staggia and Val di Strove. With the supplied tablets and explanatory videos, you will be free to enjoy the timeless beauty of the place, before reaching Siena again.

*on request