Hillside Towns In Tuscany: Best Places To Explore

By Author: Smatkathy Green
Total Articles: 265
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It was the time of the Renaissance when the hilltop towns of Tuscany came into existence. In modern times the medieval streets, churches filled with beautiful frescoes and the excellent views over the Tuscan countryside are something which are considered as the legacy of the rivalries of olden times.
South:
The best time to come and visit the Unesco World Heritage Site Pienza is anytime in the midweek in any season except high summer. The Renaissance design of the cathedral and the old papal residence in the Palazzo Piccolomini stands tall in the town’s central square. It owes the design to the 15th century humanist Pope Pius II.
Pitigliano, standing on a volcanic outcrop, gives a sense of human excellence because it looks like it was grown rather than being built. It was nicknamed ‘Little Jerusalem’ because it once housed largest Jewish community in Italy.
North:
San Gimignano boasts of as many as fifteen medieval towers. It is all that is left of the medieval legacy from as many as 72 towers built in the mid - 14th century by the wealthy families. The Collegiata, the basilica of the town, ...
... proudly presents colorful frescoes which were created by some great artists like Taddeo di Bartolo, Benozzo Gozzoli and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
East
Arezzo in eastern Tuscany faced a lot of damage during World War II. Still it has many photogenic streets and squares like Piazza Grande. There is a huge antique fair organized every 1st weekend of the month. A 15th century fresco by Piero Della Francesca present within the church of San Francesco, continues to be one of the greatest works in the Italian art history.
Poppi town’s upper sections has Poppi Alta which stands high above Arno river. A 13th century narrow castle, Castello dei Conti Guidi is located here. It's not just any castle in Italy, it has a dreamlike courtyard, a beautiful staircase. Even a library is present in it which is full of medieval manuscripts along with a chapel which has frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi.
Lodging and boarding
Missing home like feeling? Casa Chilenne is the place to go for which is family owned b&b. A historic four storey building inside Cortona’s city walls. Other luxury b&b option is La Locanda di San Francesco in Montepulciano.
One always has an option getting Tuscany villa rental services to book themselves to stay in the luxurious villas with family and friends and enjoying the nature’s beauty.