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Colle di Val d'Elsa |
Colle di Val d'Elsa or Colle Val d'Elsa is a town and comune in the province of Siena, Tuscany, central Italy. It has a population of c. 21,600 As of June 2017. Its name means "Hill of Elsa Valley", where Elsa is the name of the river which crosses it and Valdelsa the name of the valley. Today, Colle di Val d'Elsa is internationally renowned for the production of crystal glassware and art (15% of world production), largely produced in the industrial lower town. History The area was settled by man from at least the 4th millennium BC, but first mentions of the city are from the 9th century AD. In 1269 it was the seat of a famous battle during the wars of Guelphs and Ghibellines and in 1479 it was besieged by Neapolitan troops. From the 14th century it was a possession of Florence and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany until the unification of Italy in 1860. In the 20th century it became an important industrial center. During World War II it was bombed by Allied aircraft. The oldest part of the town is the "colle alta", the higher part, with a well-preserved medieval center. The town developed along the river from the 11th century onwards, building an artificial canal to power various industrial activities, such as wheat mills and paper factories. The city is also famous as the birthplace of sculptor and architect Arnolfo di Cambio. A poet Isabella Cervoni was also born here. Main sights The village is entered through the ancient and monumental Porta Nova and winds its long and narrow way in a sequence of fine 16th- and 17th-century noble houses (notable are Palazzo Usimbardi, Palazzo Buoninsegni and the Town Hall) to the Palazzo Campana, which marks the entry to the Castle, the oldest part of Colle. Here, the village is characterized by narrow paved lanes, 15th- and 16th-century noble houses (such as Palazzo Luci, Palazzo Morozzi, Palazzo Giusti, Palazzo Dini) and tower-houses, including the one where Arnolfo di Cambio was born. |
Mappa Colle di Val d'Elsa | Ingrandire mappa
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Colle di Val d'Elsa, panorama del centro storico |
Colle di Val d'Elsa, Duomo
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Colle di Val d'Elsa, panorama del centro storico |
Chiesa di Santa Maria in Canonica (Colle Val d'Elsa)
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Pier Francesco Fiorentino, Madonna col Bambino e i santi Giovanni Battista, Lorenzo, Marco e Nicola, (XV secolo), Chiesa di Santa Maria in Canonica
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| Il Baluardo |
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Veduta del Baluardo con l'impianto di risalita | |||||||
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Colle Val d'Elsa, Le Caldane
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Colle Val d'Elsa, Le Caldane
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'Abbazia di Santa Maria Assunta a Conèo
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Veduta dell'abside dell'Abbazia di Santa Maria Assunta a Conèo, Colle Val d'Elsa
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Podere Santa Pia, situated in a particularly scenic valley |
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Restaurants in Colle di Val d'Elsa
This exclusive 2 Michelin starred restaurant is located in the historic centre of the town in the indoors of a 16th century Palazzo. Because they only offer arround 6 tables (for four persons) it is very familiar. It has a beautiful panoramic terrace and is considered as one of the best restaurants in Tuscany having received numerous awards over the years. The wine cellar offers an excellent variety. |
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