I love everything Medieval. And I suppose, as you’re reading this, you share my passion. So let’s go on a journey through the surroundings of Siena to try out some authentic experiences that could be straight out of the Middle Ages.
Here you find 5 Medieval sights that you can easily visit if you’re based in Siena, as day trips or as stops in a Middle Age-inspired itinerary. You might have heard of the famed San Gimignano, but hopefully you’ll discover something unexpected!
Siena is one of Italy’s best preserved Medieval towns, one of those places where the distant past is still very much present. After a visit to the magnificent Piazza del Campo, where it’s easy to visualise a knight galloping along on horseback, and having explored the historic contrade, it’s time to continue your time travelling experience.
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5 Medieval Wonders to Visit near Siena
1. The Fortified Town of Monteriggioni
Completely surrounded by its ancient walls, the tiny town of Monteriggioni looks like a crown on top of its roundish hill. The silhouette hasn’t changed much in centuries, since the time when Dante mentioned it in his ‘Divine Comedy’, comparing its towers to ‘terrifying giants‘ (Inferno, canto XXXI). Once the northern-most bastion of Siena for its wars against Florence, today Monteriggioni is proud of its Medieval heritage and keeps it alive in different ways.
You have the Monteriggioni in Arme Museum, where visitors can try on some (very heavy!) armour, brandish a sword and learn about the town’s history. You can patrol atop the walls, or attend the Medieval Festival that’s on every August. For a full immersion in the Middle Ages, it doesn’t get better than this!
Monteriggioni Attractions => There’s a combined ticket (5 Euro) for the Monteriggioni in Arme Museum, the Walls Walkways plus the newly open Archeological Museum hosted in nearby Abbadia Isola (Opening hours: from 1st Apr to 30th Sept: every day 9.30am-1.30pm/2-7.30pm).
WHERE IT IS? 20 kilometres north of Siena, you easily reach it on the SS2 Superstrada Firenze-Siena. There is a direct bus from Siena and Monteriggioni that takes 25 minutes (one every hour).
=> Top 3 Medieval Festivals during the Summer in Tuscany
If you’re not driving and you don’t want to miss out on the Medieval sights, check out this Full-Day Guided Tour from Florence: Medieval Gems of Tuscany: Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, lunch included. Great value for money!
2. San Galgano & and the Sword in the Stone
Legend and history intertwine in one of the most atmospheric places in Tuscany (one of my absolute favourites for a day trip!). San Galgano Abbey is a ruined Cistercian abbey surrounded by peaceful countryside. The sky is its roof, the green meadow its floor, this magnificent Gothic structure was once part of a prestigious and wealthy religious complex. When the abbey dissolved, and the community of monks abandoned it, and nature reclaimed it with a gentle touch, leaving a picturesque trace behind.
After a visit to the abbey, it’s a short uphill walk to the 12th century Rotonda di Montesiepi Chapel, where you can continue your Medieval journey learning the story of Saint Galgano, the dissolute knight turned hermit, who thrusted his sword into a massive stone where it still sits today. You can see it protected by plexiglass… (the only not-Medieval part of the experience!)
WHERE IS IT => 35 Kms. south-west of Siena, along a secondary road surrounded by green. You need the car to reach it.
Opening time for the Abbey and the Chapel: from 9am to 6pm in Winter, until 7pm from May to October. 5 Euro entrance
* Check out Our Complete Guide to the Top Things to See and Do near Siena
3. San Quirico d’Orcia, Pilgrim Stop in an Idyllic Countryside
I have a soft spot for the small town of San Quirico d’Orcia, the gateway to the Val d’Orcia, located one hour’s drive south of Siena. Maybe it’s the colour of the stone, a creamy local travertine that makes you feel at peace with the world. Or maybe it’s the beauty of its 12th century Collegiata Church, or the wonderfully green hills all around it.
An hour is sufficient to see it all, the historic centre – partly enclosed in what’s left of the Medieval walls – is small and compact. There are a couple of churches and the Renaissance garden Horti Leonini to visit. But you might just want to hang around to soak up its wonderful atmosphere, timeless and just lovely.
WHERE IS IT => 50 kms. south of Siena, in the scenic Val d’Orcia area. Check out our Driving Itinerary through the most scenic spots in Val d’Orcia. There is no direct bus from Siena.
Did you know? => San Quirico was an important stage of the Via Francigena, the pilgrim route that crossed Europe in Medieval times, along which towns and religious complexes grew and prospered.
Viefrancigene.orgIt is mainly thanks to the travel journals, and in particular the notes of the illustrious pilgrim Sigeric, that we can nowadays reconstruct the ancient path of the Francigena. […] In the year 990, archbishop Sigeric travelled between Rome and Canterbury. Sigeric used this itinerary travelling back from Rome, where he received the Pallium (ecclesiastical vestment) from the Pope. The archbishop described the 79 stages of his itinerary towards Canterbury in a journal.
4. San Gimignano and its Mighty Towers
I haven’t started with San Gimignano, because it’s so well known (it’s nickname is ‘the Manhattan of the Middle Ages’) that I didn’t want it to steal the limelight from these other Medieval wonders. But certainly in a list of places to visit for fans of the Medieval in Tuscany, this small town that still maintains 14 original tower-houses intact is a must.
Despite being very touristy, and usually pretty busy (with plenty of souvenir shops!), it has kept an authentic feel, and as you walk around its cobbled streets you can truly feel you are reliving history.
Highlights => We’ve written a post about the top things to do in San Gimignano – to discover gorgeous frescoes, picturesque streets and even a torture museum! – and enjoy the unique atmosphere of one of Tuscany’s most famous sights.
Insider’s tip => To better appreciate it, come out of season, from November to March, and spend the night to see it after dark.
WHERE IS IT – it takes one hour from Siena to San Gimignano, 50 kms. north of Siena. There is a direct bus Monday to Saturday.
5. Meleto Castle in the Chianti region
The Chianti region in Tuscany is dotted with castles, and some are beautifully preserved. One of these you find 25 kms. north of Siena, the Meleto Castle. For over one thousand year, Meleto Castle has watched over its land and vineyards – yes, they produce a superb Chianti Classico here, so you can combine a wine tasting experience with a visit to a gorgeous castle (you need to book in advance, and you need a car to get there).
A bit of history => Meleto Castle dates back to the 11th century. For its strategic position between Florence and Siena, it was setting of many battles until 1480, when Florence finally took it. It underwent many restoration works that made it into the splendid tourist residence you see today. The interior is from the 18th century, but the exterior still keeps the appearance of a Medieval defensive structure.
More trip ideas? => 10 Beautiful Small Towns to Visit Near Siena
Author: Sabrina Nesi, founder of Lovefromtuscany.com, passionate about sharing the beauty of Tuscany and Italy with the world.
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