Colle di Val d'Elsa
“My fellow-citizens near unto Colle / Were joined in battle with their adversaries, / And I was praying God for what he willed… Sapient I was not, although I Sapia / Was called, and I was at another's harm / More happy far than at my own good fortune."
Colle di Val d’Elsa, known as the "Crystal City", is the home of numerous art treasures, both ancient and contemporary. Situated in a strategic position across the Via Francigena, it has been the protagonist of epic battles between Guelphs and Ghibellines in medieval times, such as the "Battaglia del Colle", mentioned in the Divine Comedy. Surrounding the medieval castle and its towers, including Arnolfo di Cambio’s former residence, a famous, sculptor and architect, a lively cultural and economic centre developed over the years, rich in paper mills, ironworks and Crystal glassware, all activities benefiting from the engineering system of the "Gore", famous canals of the Elsa river.
River that, even today, constitutes a valuable natural oasis: the Elsa River Park visitable thanks to a 4 km path that originates from the centre of the city, the SentierElsa. The Teatro dei Varii, the Archaeological Museum and the Civil one of Sacred Art, the Convento di San Francesco, the Crystal Museum, the artisan shops and, a little further from the city, the Abbey of Coneo and the Etruscan necropolis of Dometaia, are only some of the attractions this city can offer, also rich with renowned restaurants and shops where one can find local products like the Gota Cotta, an absolute must preparation of the Colle di Val d’Elsa butchers.
In addition of the Via Francigena, Colle offers numerous and various bike paths from the "Grand Tour Valdelsa-Valdicecina" and the "Grand Tour della Vernaccia". "Le acque della Valdelsa tra misteri e realtà" and "Andar per Pievi" are also two important gravel tours starting in Colle. Other interesting routes are the ones that from Casole reach Pievescola and from Casole reach Monteriggioni, crossing the municipality. The "Via del pellegrino" and the "Via della transumanza" finally reach interesting villages such as Quartaia and Collalto.
