Firenze is considered one of the cradles of art, renowned among the most beautiful cities in the world, thanks to its numerous monuments and museums. It is the home of the Renaissance and of the Italian language. The artistic, literary and scientific artifacts of the geniuses of the past are of inestimable value, which enrich its historic center and make it a real ” widespread museum ”. The competition with Siena, the second medieval city of Tuscany, is centuries old. Siena quickly became the center of important trade routes with Rome where it undertook fruitful collaboration with the Vatican with which the Sienese bankers had excellent relations. The territorial one was added to the commercial domain with bloody battles. Siena is also rich in history and medieval buildings such as its shell-shaped square, Piazza del Campo. Here the Palio takes place, an equestrian competition of medieval origin between the districts of the city.
After almost a century, legend has it that the war ended with a competition between roosters, where the hungry and thirsty Florentine crosses far beyond the borders, granting Florence a large territory.
From Florence you can reach Siena along the Chiantigiana, a particular state road dotted with hills and vineyards that crosses the historic towns of Castellina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, of Etruscan origin rich in medieval architecture. All have breathtaking views or scenic routes under perimeter vaults or often squares with arches and towers. From the state road you can reach other famous historic villages such as Monteriggioni, an intact castle and center of events of medieval culture, San Gimignano with its fascinating towers that define it as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages. From the same road you can reach Certaldo Alta, a suggestive medieval village which can also be reached with a panoramic funicular. It is the birthplace of another famous Italian writer Boccaccio and home to festivals and cultural events.