This small 14^th-century architectural wonder is home to some very spectacular towers. At one point there stood approximately 72 tall towers. The residents built their towers reaching higher and higher trying to be the tallest. The towers became a status symbol but were also functional allowing residents to see incoming raids. The towers were also a form of communication. The citizens found them a good means of yelling at the neighbor without leaving home. During the middle ages, this was a very popular and safe location to stay the night for those traveling the countryside for pilgrimages or trade. Today approximately 14 remain surviving the march of time, and WWII bombs. The city remains home to a small population of residents.

This charming city sits high on a hilltop so expect to climb, but on top is a rewarding view of Tuscany, the towers still reaching higher above you, and some of the greatest gelato! This very ancient city will captivate your curiosity and instill a very lasting impression of days long past.

While walking up the hill to reach the top, on either side of you is stall after stall of keepsakes. They sell anything from religious figures to souvenirs of the city, to anything else! There are small areas that you can wander off the path and see the beautiful views of the surrounding hills as you climb higher and higher. Once reaching the top, continue to explore the city’s Duomo, city hall, city square, and Gelateria Dondoli; a Gelato World Cup winner for 2006/2007 and 2008/2009. Other awards won include the Master of Art and Craft in 2016, the Italian Excellence Business Award, and a couple of “Trip Advisor” Certificate of Excellence. This shop truly is an experience to have when visiting here.

Off on its own, when wandering through the streets, you may find what appears to be an ancient building. In fact, this building once was the Town Hall and today the city museum and known as Palazzo del Popolo or Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà. Inside, beautiful fresco paintings from the 1500s survive and cover many of the walls. This same home has a courtyard area that contains bells that once hung in the city to ring out and historical plaques about the whole city that you can read. Up the stairs, you can walk up and explore what is around and go closer to the nearby tower. You can find the old town hall in the Piazza del Duomo.

To explore Gelateria Dondoli’s website, visit HERE.