What to see around Il Paluffo? Here we have selected 4 unmissable villages less than 30 minutes from our holiday villa with pool in Chianti. These small towns, where time seems to have stood still, are the ideal destination for a day trip combining beauty, tradition and taste. Let’s discover them together!
Certaldo has two different faces: the lower part concentrates economic activities and residential expansions; the upper part, instead, hosts a characteristic village that has kept its medieval charm intact. The historic village, known as Certaldo Alto (or the Castle), is surrounded by a circle of walls largely preserved, through which the ancient access gates open: Porta Alberti, Porta al Sole and Porta al Rivellino. Here stands the house where the famous poet and writer Giovanni Boccaccio spent various periods of his life, now converted into a museum. The most representative monument of Certaldo Alto is Palazzo Pretorio, the ancient residence of the Alberti counts. Its prisons, the audience hall, the archive, the chapel and the private quarters of the Vicars can be visited. Among other things to see in the medieval citadel are: the Church of Saints Thomas and Prosper, inside which is located the Tabernacle of the Executed by Benozzo Gozzoli; the Church of Saints James and Philip, which preserves the remains of Giovanni Boccaccio; and the Museum of Sacred Art, set up in the premises of a former 15th-century Augustinian convent.
Located in the heart of Chianti, San Donato in Poggio (hamlet of the municipality of Barberino Tavarnelle) is an ancient medieval village that dominates the surrounding valleys among vineyards, olive groves and green woods. It played an important role in the conflict between Florence and Siena, because it was located along the main connecting axis between the two cities. The settlement is enclosed within perfectly preserved 13th-century walls, from which emerge the suggestive watchtower and its monumental entrances: Porta Fiorentina and Porta Senese. The beating heart of the village is Piazza Malaspina, overlooked by: the imposing Palazzo Malaspina, from the Renaissance period, where exhibitions, events and conferences are organized; the Church of Santa Maria della Neve, built in the 14th century in Gothic style; and the Palazzo Pretorio. Among other monuments and places of interest we mention: the Emilio Ferrari Museum of Rural Culture, which collects objects and tools testifying to the rural civilization of the Chianti countryside; and the Parish Church of San Donato, a 10th-century Romanesque building inside which you can admire a glazed terracotta baptismal font by Giovanni Della Robbia.
Immersed among the Sienese hills and the sun-drenched hills of Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano is a suggestive village that has preserved almost completely intact the urban layout of the 12th-13th centuries. Not surprisingly, the historic center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. San Gimignano is famous for its 14 towers (originally there were 72) which earned it the nickname “Manhattan of the Middle Ages.” The heart of the village is Piazza del Duomo, overlooked by: the Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, where, in addition to the wonderful frescoes decorating the walls, you can admire the splendid Chapel of Santa Fina; the Town Hall, which houses the historic headquarters of the Civic Museums and the Art Gallery; and the Old Palace of the Podestà, with the tower called Rognosa and a beautiful fresco by Sodoma. Another point of interest is Piazza della Cisterna, which owes its name to a public cistern built in the 13th century that occupies the central part. Characterized by a triangular shape, it is surrounded by medieval palaces and towers, including the Devil’s Tower, which according to legend was built by Satan himself.
Perched on the top of a hill (from which you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas), Montaione is an enchanting village that has preserved its medieval street layout and some historic buildings, despite the damage caused by World War II. Born as a castle between the 12th and 13th centuries, it boasts a rich history intertwined with the events of the Florentine Republic. Among the most prestigious buildings in the village are: the 13th-century Palazzo Pretorio, now home to the Civic Museum, on whose facade you can admire a series of stone and ceramic coats of arms, representing the Tuscan noble families who succeeded each other over the centuries in governing the Municipality; and the Church of San Regolo, a notable example of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany dating back to the 13th or 14th century, which houses a precious Madonna and Child attributed to the school of Cimabue. In the countryside around the town, the Sacred Mount of San Vivaldo, also known as the “Jerusalem of Tuscany,” is certainly worth mentioning. It is a complex of chapels and small temples built in the early 16th century, which reproduces the planimetry of Jerusalem of that time on a smaller scale.
These five villages represent some of the most authentic gems of the Chianti territory, each with its own personality and wonders to discover. Whether you’re passionate about medieval history, lovers of Renaissance art, or simply seeking an authentic experience in the Tuscan countryside, these places will win you over with their timeless charm.
Staying at Il Paluffo, you’ll have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the magic of these ancient villages, alternating moments of relaxation in your villa with pool with unforgettable excursions among medieval towers, Romanesque parish churches and breathtaking panoramas. A perfect way to experience the truest Tuscany and discover hidden treasures just steps away from your holiday home.
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