Hill towns are fascinating windows into medieval times. Monteriggioni is one of the smallest of these in Tuscany not far from Florence. It was built in 1203 and was the model for Dante in his description of the deepest abyss in Inferno.
San Gimignano has thirteen towers that make the skyline of this hill town unique. They were built in the 12th & 13th centuries.
The Collegiata, a 12th century Romanesque church, has an amazing array of frescoes that were created in 1367 and were based on Old Testament events.
Another impressive skyline is that of Siena where from any surrounding hill the dome of the Duomo is visible.
Siena is famous for the Palio, the twice-yearly horse race that's held in the Piazza del Campo as a competition among the 17 contrade, or parishes.
One of the most charming hill towns is approachable only by a pedestrian bridge. Civita di Bagnoreggio has become an island in the sky with its volcanic foundation gradually eroding away. It was the birthplace of Saint Bonaventure who died in 1274.
