Monuments to visit Toscane

Fontebranda means Siena! With its brick arches, this old fountain, begun in 1193, was used to quench the population's thirst, to local industries, especially tanners, and as a watering place for animals. The water came from an extraordinary network of underground aqueducts, dug into the rock. Given the crucial importance of water for the city, Fontebranda was one of the nerve centres of Sienese daily life. Sung by Dante, told by Alfieri, Fontebranda is the city's most famous and ancient source.

In the main square of Montalcino, piazza del Popolo, stands this unmistakable palace of Sienese inspiration from the late 13th century, now the town hall. At its feet, the portico houses a statue of Cosmos I of Tuscany, by Giovanni Berti (16th century). It is surmounted by a high belfry and flanked by a Renaissance-style loggia with six 14th and 15th century Gothic arches. Also known as the Palazzo dei Priori, it is decorated with the heraldic coats of arms of the many podestats that successively ruled the city over the centuries.

There is a deviation from the N 484 road, to taste the wine of Baron Ricasoli, the legendary character of the region. Cultivated around the imposing castle of the th century, which also hosts a agriturismo centre, the wine is sold to the Casa vinicola Barone Ricasoli.

Built around 1455 by the Florentine architect Michelozzo, the Medici villa of Fiesole stands on a hillside and enjoys a magnificent view of Florence. It is the very first Renaissance villa inspired by the ancient Roman villas. Built for Jean de Médicis, the youngest son of Cosme l'Ancien, it remained the property of the family until 1671. Unfortunately, you can only visit the terraced gardens (by appointment), the villa being a private property, but this place is ideal for a short meditation with a view of the Tuscan capital.

Spread all over the village of Montecatini Alto (located in the heights of Montecatini Terme), the medieval towers bear witness to the village's defensive past. In the past, Montecatini Alto had twenty-five of them, but there are only seven left today. Their construction dates back to the 12th century. As for the city's defensive walls, only the "Porta di Borgo" has survived the passage of time. On the other hand, the two fortresses, Tramontana and Carmel, which each dominate their hill, have passed through the ages.

Fort Longone, also known as Fort San Giacomo, which dates from the seventeenth century, when the region was under Spanish domination, was intended to strengthen the defense system and control of maritime traffic.

Only a walk along the ramparts can be considered. For years, this ancient Spanish fort has served as a prison. Do not have fun getting inside, even if doors are open. The police watch and take up all those who venture there. It is also possible to access beautiful beaches at the foot of the fort.

At the top of the rocky promontory of Ansedonia, at an altitude of 114 metres, stand the ruins of the ancient city of Cosa, founded by the Romans in 273 BC. Cosa's name would come from "Cusia" or "Cusi", an older Etruscan city that was below the place where Orbetello is located today. It is a moving site to imagine the 2,500 families who lived there and founded this powerful autonomous city, with its own laws and currency. The Roman colony of Cosa was entirely surrounded by powerful walls extending for more than a kilometre, pierced by three access gates and with seventeen towers, one of which was circular. The entrance to this archaeological area, unjustly unknown to tourists, is through the Fiorentina Gate (to the northwest). You can walk among the ancient remains, such as sacred temples, baths, private houses, cisterns, as well as the cyclopean ramparts, the acropolis and the forum, once the city's main square. Imagine, this area formed a large square 90 metres long by 30 metres wide! On the sides of the forum, one can see the remains of the atria (places of exchange for commercial affairs), and those of the basilica which had sixteen columns.

To deepen your visit, the small museum, worthy of interest and with documentation in French, houses objects discovered on the site, such as dishes, coins, sculptures...

A sign informs us that this house was that of André Pons de l'Hérault (1772-1853), Napoleon's confidant during his exile on the island of Elba. In 1809, to reward him for his military career, he was appointed administrator of the Rio Marina iron mines. Committed to social progress, he introduced bonuses and increased the salaries of miners, and provided the village with a doctor, a relief and retirement fund. Very popular, Pons de l'Hérault is also the scribe of Napoleon's island stay (see Memories and anecdotes of Elba Island for those interested).

A few kilometres from Bucine, Pogi is a small village with a church and some houses partly built on the old ramparts. Ancient castle, Pogi was the domain of the Guidi Counts. Its Roman bridge over the Ambra is one of the most significant historical testimonies of the whole Valdambra. The foundations of this bridge date back to Roman times. It was on a deviation from the Cassia Adrianea, an old road that linked Rome to Florence. On these stone pillars rests the medieval structure with five arches.

Beneath the ^16th-century arcades, known as Loggia del Porcellino (Piglet's Lodge), a statue of a wild boar stands on the south side of the structure (on the Via Calimaruzza side). Touch it and slip a coin into the beast's mouth for good luck! This bronze sculpture was created around 1633 by the Baroque master Pietro Tacca.

In days gone by, under the loggias, merchants sold luxury goods such as silk and precious objects. Today, a market, the Mercato Nuovo, sells mainly leather goods and souvenirs.