TUSCANY 🇮🇹 | Monteriggioni và San Gimignano | 4K UHD 60FPS

TUSCANY 🇮🇹 | Monteriggioni và San Gimignano | 4K UHD 60FPS

We took the T1 tram line from central Florence to the Parcheggio Villa Costanza parking lot on the outskirts. The train goes from Alamanni – Stazione Santa Maria Novella station, passes 13 stops and takes about 22 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines or Tabacchis stores for 1.5€. This is an economical and convenient way to explore the Toscana region from Florence – or vice versa. Toscana – the charming heart of Italy, where natural scenery blends with history and art. Rolling hills with vineyards and olive groves, bright fields of wheat and sunflowers, and rows of green cypresses lead to medieval villages and towns. All create a wild and captivating beauty, making visitors nostalgic. Toscana was once the center of the ancient Etruscan civilization, which flourished in the 7th–6th centuries BC. The Romans began conquest in the 4th century BC, and took complete control by the 1st century BC. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, this place was continuously occupied by different forces. 5th–6th centuries: occupied by Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths – a Germanic tribe. 6th century: recaptured by the Byzantine Empire. From 568–774, it was occupied by the Lombards and established the Duchy of Tuscia – Ducato di Tuscia. The Latin name Tuscia was born during this period, and later became Toscana in Italian. Charlemagne – king of the Franks defeated the Lombards in 774 and annexed Tuscany into the Impero Carolingio – Carolingian Empire. Later belonged to Sacrum Romanum Imperium – Holy Roman Empire, under the rule of local lords. From the 11th century, autonomous city-states emerged such as Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca and often clashed with each other. In 1569, united to form Granducato di Toscana = Grand Duchy of Tuscany ruled by the Medici family from 1569–1737, then by the Habsburg-Lothringen family. At the end of the 18th century, Toscana was occupied by Napoleon, then came under the control of feudal powers and the Austrian Empire. In 1861, it merged into Regno d’Italia – Kingdom of Italy (existed 1861–1946) and became part of present-day Italy. Village at San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tuscany. Restaurant, wine cellar, garden and house – once the residence of writer and politician Niccolò Machiavelli – when he was expelled from Florence in 1512 and wrote the famous political work Il Principe – The Prince. Toscana – the land of famous wine flavors: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia… The cuisine here is rustic yet sophisticated: Ribollita – simple soup, Bruschetta – toast with garlic and olive oil made from pure ingredients. Bistecca alla Fiorentina – Fiorentina-style steak, from Chianina beef breed – soft, naturally sweet thanks to traditional cooking. Each dish is a culinary experience imbued with Tuscan identity. Casa di Machiavelli and his memorial stele, mounted on the wall in 1869, read: Dedicated to Niccolò Machiavelli, here he contemplated and supported the liberation of Italy, by writing works on the art of governing and defending the nation with his own weapons. The town of San Casciano placed a memorial stone on the 400th anniversary of the Italian politician’s birth. The old warehouse and stables were discontinued in 2014 and were renovated. Tuscany is also the cradle of the Renaissance, which awakened Europe from the darkness of the Middle Ages. This place is the homeland of great people: Leonardo da Vinci – a genius beyond his time, Michelangelo – a master with masterpieces that touch the soul, Dante – the father of Italian literature, Galileo Galilei – the founder of modern science. Via Francigena signs showed that we were on the ancient pilgrimage route, leading to Rome and Apulia – southern Italy, where ships used to depart to the Holy Land (modern-day Israel and Palestine). Wandering through the ancient towns of Tuscany is like stepping into fairy tales, written in stone, history and memory. Monteriggioni was built by the Sienanese on Monte Ala hill from 1213–19, as a defensive fortress from the direction of Florence – Siena’s rival. The surrounding city wall is 570m long, including 2 gates and 14 watchtowers. Currently, four towers have been lowered to the same level as the city wall. Porta Franca, also known as Porta Romea – the southern gate towards Rome, “Franca” may originate from free or tax-free passage… or refer to the Frankish/French groups on the journey to Rome, following the pilgrimage route Via Francigena – also known as Via Romea. On the gate there used to be two stele: one marked the year 1213 – the time of Monteriggioni’s construction, which has now been removed. And a stele records the 1860 referendum annexing Monteriggioni to the Kingdom of Italy. Piazza Roma – renamed Piazza Dante Alighieri in 2021, on the 700th anniversary of the death of poet Dante Alighieri, with the work La Divina Commedia – Divine Comedy, depicting Monteriggioni and its watchtowers as bound giants, rising from hell. After the plague epidemic of 1348–49, soldiers were stationed here to protect the people from rampant looting. In 1526, the combined forces of Florence and the Church surrounded and besieged the city with artillery. Monteriggioni fought back and broke the siege, which coincided with the victory of the battle of Camollia on the walls of Siena. By 1554, the town fell into the hands of Cosimo de’ Medici, and the people of Monteriggioni were forced into slavery in Florence. Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunt – Church of the Assumption of Mary, built in 1213 in Roman style. Casa per ferie Santa Maria – formerly a stopping place for pilgrims, now a boarding house with a donation of 20–25€. Porta Fiorentina – the northern gate towards Florence, also known as Porta di Sotto, meaning Lower Gate, or Porta San Giovanni, after the chapel that once existed near the gate. Like many medieval citadels, the walls had caditoie – a system of troughs and pits to pour boiling oil or embers onto enemy soldiers when the citadel was attacked. Piazzale Martiri di Monte Maggio – Square of the Martyrs of Monte Maggio. Porta San Giovanni – south gate, built in 1262 in Siena style. Chiesa della Madonna dei Lumi – Church of Our Lady of Light, built in 1601, partially demolished to widen the road in 1922. Bastione San Francesco – 16th-century watchtower, named after the 13th-century monastery that once existed in the opposite area. In the 3rd century BC, this was an Etruscan village, the Latin name Silva means Forest. Since 450 AD, this place has been named after Saint Geminiano – bishop and patron saint of Modena, who lived in 313–397. According to legend, he had the power to expel demons and appeared to protect people when the Huns invaded and plundered. San Gimignano flourished in the 11th–13th centuries, as a stopping point for pilgrims, and as a place to trade agricultural products, especially saffron. After the Black Death pandemic, the town entered a period of decline, but thanks to that, the medieval architecture was preserved almost intact. The town is surrounded by two walls, the inner one from the 10th century and fortified from 1100–1150. The outer citadel, built from 1251–1262, is still quite intact with a length of more than 2 km, and five main city gates: Porta San Giovanni, Porta Quercecchio, Porta San Matteo, Porta delle Fonti and Porta San Jacopo. Porta San Matteo – northern gate, built in 1262 in Siena style. In Italy, the fact that many buildings are built with a combination of stone, brick, and other materials is the result of thousands of years of history. Over time, the building was expanded, repaired many times and reused old materials, sometimes from collapsed temples. The mix of materials is carefully calculated to ensure durability and create contrast in color and texture – a characteristic of Italian aesthetics. Chiesa di San Pietro in Forliano – church from 1262, home to 14th-century frescoes by Memmo di Filippuccio and Giovanni d’Asciano. The church of the monastery of San Agostino, built from 1280–1298, houses the remains of Saint Bartolo, who died of leprosy while caring for the poor, and a set of frescoes of the life of Saint Augustine painted by Benozzo Gozzoli from 1463–67, among many other works. Sant Agostino Monastery, built in 1465. 19th century wrought iron gate. On the right is Porta San Matteo. Torre Pesciolini, a tower built at the end of the 13th century, is now the tourist apartment La Torre Nomipesciolini. Etruscan tomb ruins, dated to the 6th–4th centuries BC. Chiesa di San Bartolo – the church used to be the Jerusalem hospital of San Matteo, built in 1173 for pilgrims. Currently houses a 15th-century wooden cross and two paintings on canvas by Niccolò Lapi. Palazzo della Cancelleria (o dei Marsili) – Marsili family residence, currently the town government offices. Porta della Cancelleria – the gate is the remaining part of the inner citadel. Piazza del Duomo – Cathedral Square, the religious and political center of San Gimignano. Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta – Congregational Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built in 1056 according to Roman architecture, expanded in 1460. The church houses the relics of Saint Geminiano, and sets of 14th and 15th century frescoes. Fresco is a technique of painting on the wall while the mortar is still wet. The colors will penetrate deeply into the mortar layer, lasting for centuries. The Arco di San Giovanni archway next to the church is the entrance to the Museo d’arte Sacra art museum. Torri dei Salvucci, also known as the twin towers – Torre dei Gemelli, originally belonged to the de’ Mangeri family, transferred to the Salvucci family – rivals of the Ardinghelli family in 1257. Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà – Former residence of Podestà, the town’s governor, built in 1239. Torre della Rognosa of the Gregori & Oti family is 51m high – built in 1239. 1200 and Torre Chigi of the Useppis family – built in 1280. Palazzo Comunale – Medieval Town Hall, built in 1288, also known as the People’s Palace – Palazzo del Popolo. Torre Grossa – Great Tower, 54 meter high tower – tallest in San Gimignano, built from 1300–11. The town hall is surrounded by works of art from the 13th–16th centuries. During the 11th–13th centuries, noble families built 72 towers – symbols of their wealth and power, but today only 14 of the original towers remain. The stele commemorates the consecration of the church in 1148, in the presence of Pope Eugenius III and 14 bishops. Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà was used as a theater in 1537 and converted into Teatro dei Leggieri in 1794, restored in 1967, and is now a performing arts venue. The Hugo Spritz cocktail at the restaurant opposite, with its floral sambuco, mint and Prosecco notes, was the best drink we enjoyed in Italy. Gelateria Dondoli – known as the best ice cream shop in the world. Torre dei Becci – tower of the Becci family from the 13th century and Arco dei Becci – archway of the citadel from the 10th–11th centuries. Piazza della Cisterna and the rainwater tank in 1273. Torre del Diavolo – Devil’s tower is part of the Palazzo dei Cortesi, now the Museo della Tortura museum of torture instruments. Torri degli Ardinghelli – two towers of the Ardinghelli family from the 12th–13th centuries with a height of nearly 52m, later partially lowered. The 14th-century Tortoli mansion and truncated tower belong to the mansion of Capitano del Popolo – who was elected to protect the rights of the people against the aristocracy. Two 13th century houses: Salvestrini – once the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala and Razzi mansion with remains of a tower. The Travertine stone tank mouth was made in 1346, with the coat of arms of Mayor Guccio Malavolti’s family engraved on it. We left San Gimignano as the afternoon sun had gone down. The sky is like a blue velvet blanket, dotted with golden lights. Monteriggioni, San Gimignano will always be there, quietly and eternally, each old stone still whispering about a prosperous time long gone. Toscana is no longer just a destination but has become a memory, lingering in our hearts and silently promising a return.

🇻🇳 Trong video này, NQT’s Collection mời bạn tiếp tục hành trình khám phá Tuscany, qua hai thị trấn Trung cổ tuyệt đẹp:
🏰 Monteriggioni – như một pháo đài với tường thành và tháp canh, nhưng bên trong là cuộc sống yên bình như trong truyện cổ tích.
🏛️ San Gimignano – với những tòa tháp, từng là biểu tượng của sự giàu có và quyền lực.
Nếu bạn yêu thích lịch sử, kiến trúc và nghệ thuật thì những thước phim này chắc chắn sẽ mang đến cho bạn những điều thú vị.

🇬🇧 In this video, NQT’s Collection invites you to continue the journey through Tuscany, exploring two beautiful medieval towns:
🏰 Monteriggioni – a fortress with walls and watchtowers, yet peaceful like a fairytale inside.
🏛️ San Gimignano – known for its towers, once symbols of wealth and power.
If you love history, architecture, and art, this footage will surely delight you.

🎵 Video uses music from YouTube Audio Library:
♪ Amazing Grace – Casa Rosa
♪ Vespers On The Shore – The Mini Vandals

🕒Video Timeline Links:
00:00:00 PROLOGUE
00:03:48 Casa di Machiavelli
00:13:00 Monteriggioni
00:25:28 San Gimignano
00:46:42 EPILOGUE

Videos from trip to Italy:

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#tuscany, #italy, #europetravel, #monteriggioni, #sangimignano