Montisi

The hill town, Montisi, population 500, is an ancient Etruscan necropolis.  As small as it may seem, the village is divided into four communities, each represented with their own flag. The Castello is the area of the medieval castle.  The Piazza, is the flat area located near the castle.  San Martino is in the northeastern part of the village and the Torre, takes the name of the Tower of the Grange of Santa Maria della Scalla (a farming estate owned by a monastery), which was destroyed by retreating German troops in 1944.

The Civic Tower and the Colonna, in Two Different Communities

Civic Tower and the Colonna

Walking up the small hill to the restored tower, currently, the Grange is a private home built around two main courtyards, with a small theatre used for shows and concerts.  It was here that a clay hand-made map was posted on the wall to point the way around the narrow streets in a circular fashion to locate all the sites on the hill.  It reminded me of a scavenger hunt map! See the chunks of terra cotta on the wall? Following the terra cotta signs, the lane reminded me of the Stations of the Cross along a beautiful garden walk!

Pieve of the Santissima Annunziata

The Pieve of the Santissima Annunziata

The Map

Markers on the Montisi Walk

Markers on the Montisi Walk

Markers on the Montisi Walk

Mother Mary Pray for Us

The Markers on the Walk in Montisi

Streets of Montisi

Main Walk Montisi

Walking Montisi

The Only Cat in Town!

Returning to the lower ground of the village there is now a frescoed wall playground, the ruins of castle walls, and beautiful flowers, doors and windows. We spent a lovely afternoon in Montisi!

Castle Walls

Roof Top View

Montisi Landscape

A Grand Villa near Montisi

Roof Top View

Rooftops of Montisi

A Door in Montisi

A Window in Montisi

The Lower Village Montisi

The Walls of Playground

Montisi

The Lower Village of Montisi

Wall Flowers

Lower Village of Montisi