Colle di Val d’Elsa | Just Visit Siena !

I’ve just added a new page to my blog – Surroundings. I am sure that if you are here, you can see also by occasion what is all around Siena.

So let me start this page with Colle di Val d’Elsa. Name means “Hill of Elsa Valley”. “Elsa” is the name of the river which crosses the town.

What you should know . . . Colle di Val d’Elsa is internationally renowned for the production of crystal glassware and art (can you imagine that has 15% of world production?!).

The area is beautiful. To enter the town you have to pass the ancient and monumental Porta Nova and a sequence of fine 16th-17th-century noble houses. Then a magnificent Palazzo Campana, which marks the entry to the Castle, the oldest part of Colle. And an atmosphere will change: narrow paved lanes, magnificent 15th and 16th-century noble houses, tower-houses.

Colle di Val d’Elsa has a very attractive old town, around which once pro week takes place a market (not so huge like in Siena but for sure worth to see). You will find here very interesting craftsmanship’s locals, where you can observe local people’s creative output like also buy some unique souvenirs. What I highly recommend!!

But for sure the most important is Duomo di Colle di Val d’Elsa, where you can find a relic – nail from the cross of Jesus.

And at the end a practical information . . . how to get there. Of course you can go by car, but also by bus. Single ticket costs 3,40 EUR and it is so close to Siena, only about 30 min. Timetable you will find here http://www.sienamobilita.it/en/orari.html .

To encourage you to visit this small but so nice town without the tourist crowd, I attach picture gallery. So just only look below and don’t forget about Colle di Val d’Elsa when you are here in Siena.