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This 13.4 km leg begins in Gambassi Terme and takes 3 hours to complete. It is a brief itinerary that however shows the beauty of the ridges of the Val d'Elsa, which is dotted with the castles and abbeys that were born thanks to the passage of the Via Francigena in the area.
You can visit the Sanctuary of Pancole, before going uphill towards the village of Collemucioli, along a stretch of dirt road from the Middle Ages; from there you can reach the church of Cellole.
Climb up the hill to view the spectacular 15 towers of San Gimignano, one of the most popular destinations of Tuscany; its profile in the horizon is a must see!
Water supplies are available in Pancole; there are no eateries along this itinerary.
Total length (km): 13.4
Type of travel: On foot, by mountain bike
Travel time on foot (h: min): 3.00
Difference in height (m): 344
Descent (m): 329
Maximum height (m): 388
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 40%
Dirt roads and driveways: 54%
Mule tracks and trails: 6%
Cycling: 97%
Getting to the starting point: SITA (055483651) from Certaldo, Castelfiorentino, Empoli, Florence, Volterra.
WHAT TO SEE
Gambassi Terme - in ancient times this town was land of crossroads for the Etruscans, being on the road for Volterra, as well as for the Romans travelling between Siena and Lucca; in the Middle Ages, it became particularly important for the pilgrims along the Via Francigena (Sigeric as archbishop of Canterbury, whose journey through Italy remembers, before 994, the Parish of Chianni). An ancient hospital here is already mentioned in the thirteenth century. In Gambassi Terme today, you can visit the permanent exhibition of glassworks that displays about 3000 local and Italian archaeological finds dating from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, and includes historical and archaeological studies on the ancient production of glass in Val d'Elsa. This activity, documented since the thirteenth century, has now disappeared but it was for centuries a hallmark for the entire territory, whose fame extended far beyond the narrow geographical area. For those seeking well-being, they can find the healing waters of the local spa.
San Gimignano - A city known for its numerous towers and Vernaccia Wine,. Something to see are the walls of the council room of City Hall, which were painted between 1289 and 1299, and feature figures and chivalry scenes to celebrate Charles II of Angiò, the king that was crowned May 29, 1289 and who strengthened alliances among Tuscan Guelph towns, including San Gimignano. On the wall opposite the figuration of the king,there is a gigantic figure of St. Christopher carrying the Baby Jesus on his shoulders; the presence and size of the image of the saint, the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers, corresponds to the nearby Via Francigena that was traveled by Sigeric of Canterbury.
HOSPITALITY FOR PILGRIMS
- Gambassi Terme: Parrocchia Santi Jacopo e Stefano, Via Volterrana 59 - Tel 0571 638208 – Approx 30 spots, on the floor – Sleeping bag requried - sinks, no showers
- Gambassi Terme: Ostello Sigerico c/o Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Chianni Loc. Santa Maria, Chianni - Tel 0571 638242 - Cell 339 7832270 – 30 spots - Sheets and towels provided - Breakfast: 3 euro - Meals: 7 euro, wine excluded
- San Gimignano: Convento Sant’Agostino, P.za Sant’Agostino, 10 - Tel 0577 907012 - sangimignanoconvento@gmail.com – 6 beds, blankets, baths and 4 showers, spots on the floor, call before arriving between 15 – 19 - rooms for clients - open 12 months - Only "Pilgrim's with credential" - Sleepgin bag required – some 150 mt from the official route (from Via Garibaldi bus stop)
- San Gimignano: Foresteria del monastero San Girolamo, Presso Porta San Giacomo, via Folgore, 20 - Tel/fax 0577 940573 – vallombrosane@virgilio.it – 32 spots - Breakfast included – 270mt from the official route (from Via 20 Settembre)
- San Gimignano: Ristoro Poggio a Issi, Loc Settefonti Larniano - S.P. 69 di Cellole Km. 4 - Tel 331 1090152 - info@poggioaissi.com - www.poggioaissi.com - 15 spots for pilgrims with a sleeping bag - 30 spots under a gazebo - Some 50 tents in the pine woods can be pitched on the property - Use of bath and shower – Meal start 13 euro - 2,5 km from the Pieve di Cellole, not along the official route.
You can visit the Sanctuary of Pancole, before going uphill towards the village of Collemucioli, along a stretch of dirt road from the Middle Ages; from there you can reach the church of Cellole.
Climb up the hill to view the spectacular 15 towers of San Gimignano, one of the most popular destinations of Tuscany; its profile in the horizon is a must see!
Water supplies are available in Pancole; there are no eateries along this itinerary.
Total length (km): 13.4
Type of travel: On foot, by mountain bike
Travel time on foot (h: min): 3.00
Difference in height (m): 344
Descent (m): 329
Maximum height (m): 388
Difficulty: Easy
Paved roads: 40%
Dirt roads and driveways: 54%
Mule tracks and trails: 6%
Cycling: 97%
Getting to the starting point: SITA (055483651) from Certaldo, Castelfiorentino, Empoli, Florence, Volterra.
WHAT TO SEE
Gambassi Terme - in ancient times this town was land of crossroads for the Etruscans, being on the road for Volterra, as well as for the Romans travelling between Siena and Lucca; in the Middle Ages, it became particularly important for the pilgrims along the Via Francigena (Sigeric as archbishop of Canterbury, whose journey through Italy remembers, before 994, the Parish of Chianni). An ancient hospital here is already mentioned in the thirteenth century. In Gambassi Terme today, you can visit the permanent exhibition of glassworks that displays about 3000 local and Italian archaeological finds dating from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, and includes historical and archaeological studies on the ancient production of glass in Val d'Elsa. This activity, documented since the thirteenth century, has now disappeared but it was for centuries a hallmark for the entire territory, whose fame extended far beyond the narrow geographical area. For those seeking well-being, they can find the healing waters of the local spa.
San Gimignano - A city known for its numerous towers and Vernaccia Wine,. Something to see are the walls of the council room of City Hall, which were painted between 1289 and 1299, and feature figures and chivalry scenes to celebrate Charles II of Angiò, the king that was crowned May 29, 1289 and who strengthened alliances among Tuscan Guelph towns, including San Gimignano. On the wall opposite the figuration of the king,there is a gigantic figure of St. Christopher carrying the Baby Jesus on his shoulders; the presence and size of the image of the saint, the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers, corresponds to the nearby Via Francigena that was traveled by Sigeric of Canterbury.
HOSPITALITY FOR PILGRIMS
- Gambassi Terme: Parrocchia Santi Jacopo e Stefano, Via Volterrana 59 - Tel 0571 638208 – Approx 30 spots, on the floor – Sleeping bag requried - sinks, no showers
- Gambassi Terme: Ostello Sigerico c/o Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Chianni Loc. Santa Maria, Chianni - Tel 0571 638242 - Cell 339 7832270 – 30 spots - Sheets and towels provided - Breakfast: 3 euro - Meals: 7 euro, wine excluded
- San Gimignano: Convento Sant’Agostino, P.za Sant’Agostino, 10 - Tel 0577 907012 - sangimignanoconvento@gmail.com – 6 beds, blankets, baths and 4 showers, spots on the floor, call before arriving between 15 – 19 - rooms for clients - open 12 months - Only "Pilgrim's with credential" - Sleepgin bag required – some 150 mt from the official route (from Via Garibaldi bus stop)
- San Gimignano: Foresteria del monastero San Girolamo, Presso Porta San Giacomo, via Folgore, 20 - Tel/fax 0577 940573 – vallombrosane@virgilio.it – 32 spots - Breakfast included – 270mt from the official route (from Via 20 Settembre)
- San Gimignano: Ristoro Poggio a Issi, Loc Settefonti Larniano - S.P. 69 di Cellole Km. 4 - Tel 331 1090152 - info@poggioaissi.com - www.poggioaissi.com - 15 spots for pilgrims with a sleeping bag - 30 spots under a gazebo - Some 50 tents in the pine woods can be pitched on the property - Use of bath and shower – Meal start 13 euro - 2,5 km from the Pieve di Cellole, not along the official route.
