San Galgano and San Gimignano 2001

 [June 28 2001, photos with white borders courtesy of Carl Bergman]

The ruined abbey of San Galgano, formerly a Cistercian monastery, abandoned centuries ago, and the nearby chapel which houses the burial site of Galgano. The chapel is also where Galgano, formerly a soldier and wastrel, decided to give up fighting, and drove his sword into a stone to make his point. 

 

the ruined abbey in the distance

From San Galgano we headed off for San Gimignano in time for lunch.

Monsanto Winery, San Gimignano and Monterrigioni

 [14 June 1994, photos with date-stamp courtesy of Dick VandenBerg]

Today was a big travel day for the four of us. First up was a visit to Monsanto Winery producers of a superb Chianti Classico. Located near San Gimignano -- another stop for us today -- Susie and I first came across their wines during a wine dinner at Vivere in Chicago. It was there that we met the daughter of the found and winemaker, Laura Bianchi. 

Although we had arranged an appointment for a tour of the facility, when we arrived no one seemed to know anything about it; in fact, the only staff members we could find were working in the boxing room. But one of them graciously gave us a short tour  of the cellars. The grounds we explored on our own.

Dor

Monsanto Winery

the cave at the winery

Off to San Gimignano! It was a short hop over to the famed city of the towers -- once home to more than 70 such edifices today only 14 remain but they do make an impression. We had lunch at a casual osteria in the city center.

San Gimignano

having coffee on the piazza della Cisterna

view from one of the towers

Last stop of the day was the tiny walled town of Monteriggioni. . .

piazza Roma