Leg 31: from Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano

Leg: 30 from San Miniato
to Gambassi Terme from San Gimignano
to Monteriggioni Leg: 32

from Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano

Discover the castles and abbeys that dot the Val d'Elsa along the ninth leg of the Via Francigena

This 13 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!

Begins:

Gambassi Terme

End:

San Gimignano

Accessibility:

on foot, in mountain bike

Total length:

13,31 km

.kml

La Francigena da Gambassi a San Gimignano

Photo ©Alberto Conte

Photo ©LigaDue

Photo ©Diego Albero Román

Photo ©TOB

What to see

arrival

San Gimignano

Photo ©Antonio Cinotti

Photo ©Antonio Cinotti

Photo ©Cédric Liénart

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.