San Miniato

Today, September 26, was a day of rest after yesterday's long hike. We explored what this hilltop city has to offer, indulged in a little local fare, and enjoyed the magnificent views from the highest point in the city.

Staying in a convent, one is surrounded by religious artwork, statues, and literature. On our way to a very disappointing breakfast, we came across three wise men and St-Francis, who challenged Brenda to a game of pattycake. (Sorry if I've offended any devout readers)

After breakfast we just wandered around the town and examined our choices for where to dine tonight. We found a great looking gourmet vegetarian restaurant that offers a five or six-course tasting menu, but they only begin service at 7:30, and we want to hit the road early tomorrow morning to tackle the 24Km hike to San Gimignano.

Our wanderings then had us heading uphill to the Cathedral. The first thing you notice upon entering are the imposing striated pink marble columns that line both sides of the main aisle. We both marveled at the craftsmanship needed to carve these magnificent supports.... until we read they are made of faux-marble! The Cathedral redeemed itself by naming one of it's six chapels after St-Roch.

Just around the corner from the Cathedral is the Vescoville Seminary Palace, which covers so much real estate it won't fit into a regular photo, thus the brief video clip below.

As if we didn’t do enough climbing yesterday, we continued up a long flight of stairs to the summit where el Torre di Frederico is located. The view of the surrounding countryside made the effort well worth it.

The tower was built for Emperor Frederick II between 1217 and 1221 to control trade between Florence and Pisa and the Via Francigena. It also served as a prison to Pier delle Vigne, the emperor's secretary, who is mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy.

The tower was destroyed by the Germans in 1944 to ensure the allies couldn't capture it and use it against them. It was rebuilt to the exact original specifications between 1956 and 1958.

By this time we had worked up a little appetite, so we stopped at Birra & Acciughe (Beer & Anchovies) and had a panino filled with anchovies and white truffle sauce accompanied by a Sardinian craft beer. Yeah, I know, it sounds disgusting, but the anchovies were nowhere near as salty as those back home, and the white craft beer was a perfect match. And in any case, the store was too funky to not earn our business.

We ended the day with a nice meal at L'Essenza Ristorante accompanied by a lovely Prosecco and blaring dance music from across the square.

On the way home, we were smiled upon by the man in the moon, whose whole face shone brightly over Tuscany tonight.Read more