Guest Post By: Margie Miklas
On my last visit to Italy I was fortunate enough to be able to stop in the small hilltop village of Monteriggioni. This tiny commune in Tuscany is only 15 km from Siena, and is situated near Castellini in Chianti and Poggibonsi. What makes visiting this town so interesting is its history as an intact walled medieval town which looks much like it did centuries ago.
History
Monteriggioni is very impressive as you approach on the autostrada and catch a glimpse of it perched high on a hill like a fortress. In the 13 th century Monteriggioni was built by the Sienna people to serve as a buffer and front line in Siena’s long-standing war with Florence. The strategic location of Monteriggioni made it useful as a fortified defense for Siena. Ultimately however Siena lost its war with Florence.
Walls of Monteriggioni
I loved walking around this uncrowded town which is completely encircled by well preserved walls which are 10 meters high and measure 570 meters all the way around. Architecture lovers and history buffs find this place very intriguing and especially enjoy the fourteen towers which rise above the town from different points in the walls.
The town of Monteriggioni actually was a castle built in 1213 A.D. and the entrances to the town are through two gates. The northern gate faces Florence and is called Porta Fiorentina, and the Porta Romano gate faces south towards Rome. An aerial view of this town looks like an almost perfect circle with miniature houses inside its walls.
Piazza Roma
This is the main piazza in Monteriggioni and is very large with a simple Romanesque style church of Santa Maria Assunta which dominates the square. Other small shops, a hotel, a gelateria and restaurants occupy the square, but I wandered past the piazza and found small alleys where the local people live. Everything here is very old and I had the sense that time had stood still. I am glad I had the chance to see Monteriggioni, even for the short time I was there.
Festa Medievale
Monteriggioni proudly celebrates every July with this Medieval Festival, when locals dress in medieval costumes, play music and put on shows using ancient instruments. The festival takes place during the first and second weekends in July and the piazza suddenly is filled with people from the surrounding communes as well as visitors from other parts of Italy and Europe.
Guest Post By: Margie Miklas
