Enjoy a walking experience in Val di Merse
Joying a Walking tour is one of the best way to discover Tuscany. But if you are a bit lazy and you rather wish to balance sport and relax into a perfect mixed holiday, these walking tips might be useful to you!
Before leaving....
Training shoes and comfortable clothes are advisable also in shorter walks.
Take some water and snacks in your bag...there are no bars in our woods! and...
don't forget your camera...
WALKING FROM TORRI TO STIGLIANO
Total lenght: km 2,5Walking time: 40'
Interesting places to see: Romanic Cloister in Torri, old marble Quarry, Stigliano
From Borgo Pretale to Torri: 10 min. by car ( 10 km)
TORRI
It's is a tiny hill top medieval villag where time as stopped!
The Romanic Cloister of Torri was once part of a 11th century monastery founded by the Benedictine Monks of Vallombrosa. In the MiddleAge, this Monastery played an important role in the development of the area thanks to the engeneering knowledge and forward thinking of the monks. They carried out an agricoltural and industrial revolution, draining marshes and building water mills on the Merse River.
The little cloister dates from 12th century, being the powerful era of the Monastery, but has also structural details from three centuries later. It's indeed a well balanced mix of black and white stone, renaissance bricks and carved wood. Extremely charming and architecturally unique..a real Gem of Tuscany!
It's private and open only twice a week (on Monday and Friday) from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m
WALKING THROUGH THE WOODS....
Leave the Medieval Gate of Torri and continue onto a white road on the left through the woods. Follow the track keeping the left towards Stigliano. Very enjoyable walk, easy and relaxing, suitable for everybody also for kids. Trees and bushes are typical of the mediterranean area: helm oaks, broom, chestnut and olive trees. Walking around you shouldn't be surprised of meeting foxes, deer, pheasants and even wildboars.
AN OLD MARBLE QUARRY
The exavation of Marble has been an important element in the growth of this area. Since the 14th century the Yellow Marble of Siena has been used for some of the masterpieces in the Duomo of Siena and Florence.
STIGLIANO AND ITS MEDIEVAL TOWERS
Stigliano is a medieval hamlet which became important XIII cent. thanks to its strategic position on the main road to the Maremma and the coast. Marchants and Pellegrims passed there, increasing commerce and industrial development of its area. Nowadays only three towers have survived to time. They belonged to the noble families of the village and now they are beautiful private residences.
