Monteriggioni – Tuscany
Why Monteriggioni?
I got to know Monteriggioni when I travelled north from Sicily by motorbike with a colleague in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. After an overnight stay in Pompeii, we looked for accommodation near Siena and were welcomed at the “Piccolo Castello”.
However, no food was served there and we were sent to the “Da Remo” restaurant with detailed directions. We were very pleasantly surprised when we arrived at our destination and found ourselves in incredibly interesting surroundings. We were in Monteriggioni, which we would probably never have found otherwise.
We had such an excellent meal and dinner at “Da Remo” that we went there twice more in the following years. But we never stayed in the Castello, we always stayed down on the plain. But this year, I really wanted to stay “upstairs” and enjoy the ambience with my wife.
The hotel
So this time we stayed at the “Hotel Monteriggioni“, a wonderfully renovated property within the castle grounds. Their website states, among other things:
“The Hotel Monteriggioni is an exceptional hotel: it is one of the 100 best in Europe and the only one located in the medieval fortress of Monteriggioni.
Eleven romantic rooms immersed in history, just a stone’s throw from Siena and Florence.
The Hotel Monteriggioni is a four-star superior hotel located in a 16th century residence in the heart of the impressive medieval fortress. The architecture, which respects the original style, perfectly integrates the hotel’s services into the exclusive setting of the Tuscan village.
The direct management of the owners of the Hotel Monteriggioni is the guarantee of an authentic passion for hospitality and the certainty of a unique and non-standardised service.
The hotel is easily accessible at all times and customers of the Hotel Monteriggioni can access the private car park in the historic centre of the village at any time.”
And indeed, we can confirm the hotel’s advertising claims in every respect! Rarely have we been welcomed so personally and yet professionally, rarely has a hotel room in a 500-year-old house been so cosy and comfortable. The garden is beautifully laid out, the swimming pool would have been wonderful in warmer weather and the car park under the trees is shady and safe.
Walk through the Castello
We take our time to look round the hotel garden and are already looking forward to a very peaceful night’s sleep in the huge bed in our room!
But for now, a long walk is the order of the day. And with the – fortunately manageable – number of tourists, a few typical shops along the main street are of course a must. But we are still surprised by the quality of the shops!
For example, there is a shoemaker who sells a huge variety of very unusual models. Right next door is a nice shop for selected handicrafts, where you won’t find any plastic rubbish from the Far East, but some really nice souvenirs.
In our opinion, however, the highlight of the shops is a tailor’s shop, where even the fabrics are made by hand on the loom and then turned into wonderful pieces in the workshop.
Wine shops and osterias should not be missed in this region, where you can enjoy good wine and local finger food.
And of course, you can also sit down in various piazza bars if you like the larger crowds. But it’s the small shops that we really like.
For dinner, the lady at our hotel reception reserved us a table at “Ristorante Le torri Monteriggioni” – wonderful ambience, exquisite food, excellent wine, courteous staff, the best grappa – and all at reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
The night then passes as planned in perfect peace and quiet and the breakfast in the morning is simply divine – all in all a perfect detour to Tuscany off the beaten track!
Facts
Geographical location and surroundings of Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni is located in Tuscany, around 15 kilometres north of Siena. The town is perched on a hill and is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and rolling hills that are typical of the region1. This location makes Monteriggioni an ideal starting point for excursions to the nearby cities of Siena and Florence as well as the picturesque Tuscan countryside.
Historical outline
Monteriggioni was built between 1213 and 1219 by the city of Siena as a defensive fortification against Florence. The city is famous for its fully preserved city wall, which is equipped with 14 towers. These walls and towers are an impressive example of medieval military architecture and offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
Today’s tourist situation and sights
Today, Monteriggioni is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can stroll along the town walls and enjoy the view, visit the castle museum and admire the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta. The town is also known for its annual medieval festivals, where the streets come alive with historical costumes, music and traditional craft stalls.
Another highlight is the Via Francigena, a historic pilgrimage route that runs through Monteriggioni and attracts hikers and history buffs alike. The surrounding area also offers numerous opportunities for wine tasting and culinary experiences that showcase Tuscan cuisine in all its diversity.
