The exciting town of Colle Val d’Elsa in Tuscany would be an excellent stopover for a day or two during your holiday to Tuscany. It won the prestigious Orange Flag Award for its unusual yet beautifully constructed town. The top of Colle Val d’Elsa is called Colle Alta and the bottom, more modern part of the town is called Colle Bassa. Tourists can walk up and down to both sections but there’s an inbuilt lift to carry you up and down if you wish! There’s a fantastic range of holiday rentals in the River Elsa valley close to the town itself where tourists can rest after a few days of enjoyable exploration!
The Colle Alta is the relatively untouched medieval section of the town, full of intriguing tourist attractions. Visit the impressive cathedral which is said to be the home of a rare religious artefact; one of the nails that held Jesus to the cross during his crucifixion! Thirty of these nails were supposedly brought to Tuscany from the Holy Land during the crusades and this is thought to be one of the few still in existence. Every September the ‘Festa del Santo Chiodo’ is held in honour of this relic; Colle Val d’Elsa is blessed and a procession carries it around the town.
Nearby, just off Piazza del Duomo is the museum of archaeology. It is considered to be one of the finest Etruscan museums in Italy and will be an enriching experience for anyone wishing to learn more about the history of this region.
Only a few minutes’ walk from here is the museum of sacred art in the Palazzo dei Priori with an excellent collection of medieval artefacts and a superb variety of the best artworks in Val d’Elsa dating from the 6th to the 20th century.
Nearby, just off Piazza del Duomo is the museum of archaeology. It is considered to be one of the finest Etruscan museums in Italy and will be an enriching experience for anyone wishing to learn more about the history of this region.
Only a few minutes’ walk from here is the museum of sacred art in the Palazzo dei Priori with an excellent collection of medieval artefacts and a superb variety of the best artworks in Val d’Elsa dating from the 6th to the 20th century.
The more modern area of the town, Colle Bassa, is further down the hill and is particularly famous for its lead crystal industry. In the local crystal museum, visitors will learn that Colle Val d’Elsa produces over 15% of the world’s crystal!
Tourists can take part in many festivals celebrated in the town throughout the year, including the June celebration of ‘La Sagra della Miseria’ where they can sample the very best of rustic Tuscan cooking along with some enjoyable wine tasting events. Throughout the summer, there are many theatre, music and cultural events to immerse yourself into! In late October and early November there is the heart warming ‘Castagne e vin Novo’ fair where the locals sit around a fire enjoying roast chestnuts and delicious red wine.
No matter when you visit the stunning town of Colle Val d’Elsa, you’re guaranteed to have pleasurable experience to treasure from your Tuscan holiday! Visit now our website and start organizing your next vacation!
Tourists can take part in many festivals celebrated in the town throughout the year, including the June celebration of ‘La Sagra della Miseria’ where they can sample the very best of rustic Tuscan cooking along with some enjoyable wine tasting events. Throughout the summer, there are many theatre, music and cultural events to immerse yourself into! In late October and early November there is the heart warming ‘Castagne e vin Novo’ fair where the locals sit around a fire enjoying roast chestnuts and delicious red wine.
No matter when you visit the stunning town of Colle Val d’Elsa, you’re guaranteed to have pleasurable experience to treasure from your Tuscan holiday! Visit now our website and start organizing your next vacation!
