Montefollonico

Perched on a hill overlooking the iconic landscapes of the Valdichiana Senese and Val d'Orcia, Montefollonico is a small Tuscan village that seems suspended in time. A hamlet of the municipality of Torrita di Siena, this medieval center preserves intact the rural and authentic soul of the past, offering visitors an intimate experience far off the beaten tourist track.

Its origin dates back to around the year 1000, but the area was inhabited as early as prehistoric times. The name "Montefollonico" derives from Fullonico, a settlement that arose near the Abbey of Santa Maria (known as the Conventaccio), where the Cassinese monks practiced fulling wool: a craft that consisted of processing and dyeing fabrics. This is where the place name comes from, which over time became "Monte a Fullonico" and finally Montefollonico.

In medieval times, the village took on a strong strategic importance for the Republic of Siena: a frontier castle, fortified with walls and towers, it still shows itself today with well-preserved defensive features and three access gates that introduce into a harmonious and cosy historic center.

Walking along the main street, the Borgo di sopra, one encounters some gems of minor architecture that hold a charm all their own. The church of San Leonardo, among the most significant Romanesque testimonies in the area, stands out for its sobriety and antiquity. Not far away is the former church of San Bartolomeo, now the site of a handcrafted ceramics workshop. Completing the picture are the Oratory of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the Oratory of Corpus Christi, the Praetorian Palace (formerly the Palace of Justice) with the Public Oriole carved into its façade, and just outside the walls, the elegant and quiet Church of Our Lady of Triano.

Another symbolic place in the village is Il Tondo Park, a true natural oasis where, thanks to a favorable microclimate, rare plants and varieties of wild orchids grow and bloom between April and July.

Montefollonico is also "the village of Vin Santo", and celebrates this precious meditation wine with the annual event "Would you like a drop of Vin Santo?" held on December 7 and 8. An opportunity to taste one of the area's most representative products, the artisanal Vin Santo, the result of slow processing and treasured as a relic to be offered only to the most welcome guests.

The village, today, represents an oasis of peace for those seeking refuge from the daily hustle and bustle. Inhabited by a welcoming community, it also attracts international visitors who often decide to settle here, won over by the silence, the beauty of the Tuscan hills and a rare authenticity.

Montefollonico è, in definitiva, un luogo che incanta per la sua semplicità: un piccolo gioiello nascosto tra due delle valli più affascinanti d’Italia, dove storia, natura e sapori antichi si fondono in un equilibrio perfetto.