Montefollonico among churches, gates, and woodland paths

Montefollonico among churches and fortifications

If you would like to discover Montefollonico’s cultural history across different periods, the Church of San Leonardo takes you from the Romanesque period to the early modern era. The building, dating from the first half of the 13th century, combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The church also has a stucco altar from the beginning of the 17th century, made of lime stucco with marble-effect decorations. It contains a copy of an altarpiece by Guidoccio Cozzarelli depicting the Madonna and Child between Saints Sebastian and Anthony the Great.

The former Church of San Bartolomeo also combines several historical layers. It is a Romanesque building renovated in 1255, now deconsecrated and privately owned. Today, the former church houses a ceramics workshop; remains of frescoes from the late 12th, early 13th, and 15th centuries have survived. The visible remains of the Abbey of Santa Maria de Follonico belong to the church of the abbey complex. In 1275, Abbot Stefano commissioned a comprehensive renovation of the existing complex, which had probably existed since the year 1000 or earlier.

The Porta di Follonica preserves the remains of the former gateway, which led to the Abbey of Follonica, located a short distance farther below. Below the Porta a Follonica runs a paved road considered medieval and probably following an older Roman route. The Torre Moreschini was built at the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century and was one of two towers guarding the Porta di Follonica until the time of the War of Siena.

The Porta del Pianello reveals further details of the fortification’s history: its inner section is medieval and bears the coat of arms of the people of Siena at the top of the inner façade. The outer section is probably a 15th-century addition and originally had a drawbridge. The alterations to the fortifications following the introduction of firearms at the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century included two similar round towers flanking the Porta di Follonica on either side. The Palazzo Pretorio is a 14th-century civic building; its bell dates from 1339 and is considered the oldest bell in Montefollonico.

Paths through woodland and history

Two round stone tables invite visitors to stop and relax there. The woodland is home to typical Tuscan animal species such as squirrels, deer, wild boar, badgers, and various bird species.

Three marked and well-signposted paths are available for walks in Parco Il Tondo. The red path is 2.6 km long and takes approximately 45 minutes. The yellow path covers 3.4 km and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The blue path is approximately 5 km long and takes 2 hours to walk. The different distances and times make it easier to plan a shorter walk or a longer loop.

The Sentiero del Vinsanto follows a medieval route that connected the castles of Torrita and Montefollonico. It connects the Porta di Follonica in Montefollonico with the motorhome parking area in Torrita di Siena. Along the route, there are five equipped rest areas with benches, signposts, and themed information boards. These cover the history of Torrita di Siena and Montefollonico, the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria a Follonica, and the experiences of Ghino di Tacco.

Vin Santo and local character

The connection between landscape, history, and regional tradition is also reflected in the event “Lo gradireste un goccio di Vin Santo?”, held annually in Montefollonico on December 8.

Further discovery

For another discovery, you can also choose Osteria Delle Noci.

For the higher-level travel overview: Torrita Di Siena.