Colle
di Val d'Elsa is separated into the upper and
lower town: città alta (upper town) and città bassa
(lower town)
Colle Alta (the name of the the upper town) is of great
medieval architectural interest. Arnolfo di Cambio, who
built the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, was
born here in 1232.
In the modern lower town shops sell
locally made crystal glass.
Piazza del Duomo is overlooked by the Praetorial Court,
the seat of the Archaeological Museum, the Cathedra, the
Bishops's Palle, housing the Museum of Sacred Art, and
the picturesque Via delle Volte, the most characteristic
corner of the town. Passing little churches and 13th-century buildings, reaches
the Rampart with view over the Plain on which the most
modern part of Colle is built. Visit the church of
Saint Augustine (13th century but rebuilt in the '500 by Antonio da
Sangallo) and the daring modern seat of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena Bank
(1983) Museums in Colle di Val d' Elsa
S several museums located in ancient
palazzi in the old town: Museo Civico, Museo
d'Arte Sacra and Museo
Archeologico . Market day is Friday in
Colle di Val d'Elsa. |
