Destinations

Art Town Hill-top town Tuscan Countryside

San Miniato

“San Miniato”, halfway between Pisa and Florence, is located 150m above sea level with a peak 192m high (the hill of the fortress). Lying on top of three hills, the city overlooks the plains of the middle Arno valley, crowned by the Apennine Mountains. San Miniato has ancient Etruscan and Roman origins, and developed thanks to its strategic importance as a military headquarter. The castle, built by the Saxony, became the seat of the imperial vicars with jurisdiction over Tuscany. The mediaeval urban structure of San Miniato is well preserved in the historical centre. A relaxing walk will take you to Piazza Bonaparte, Piazza Grifoni with its imposing palace, Piazza del Seminario, with beautiful decor of the Seminar Palace, Piazza Duomo, with the cathedral, up to the  belove Rocca Federiciana. San Miniato boasts an interesting Museum system including eight exhibition centres which collect an important art heritage. San Miniato has given rise to noble families such as the Borromeo of Milan and the Bonaparte of Corsica, and is the birthplace of many famous characters such as the Countess Matilda of Canossa, the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza, the painter Ludovico Cardi (known as Cigoli), the philosopher Augusto Conti, the poet Pietro Bagnoli, the film directors Paolo and Vittorio Taviani. Throughout the year there are several happenings and events, mainly  related to local culture and traditional products such as wine, olive oil, and local white truffles. The “National Exhibition of White Truffle” is held every year since 1969 in the month of November.

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