Poggibonsi

Fascinating story is the one of Poggibonsi which dues its constant transformation, as if the story here had taken the guise of Penelope, to its strategic location.
It’s  between the towns of  the Val d'Elsa the one that has probably the most ancient and complex story: the village around the castle Marturi (powerful Benedictine abbey) is where the first settlement took place along the' Via Francigena '. The Florentines then destroyed it, but already in the thirteenth century this village was one of the most important  markets in the tuscan area thanks to a flower: the Crocus Sativus, or saffron, which was cultivated throughout the whole area and gave increase to many other activities :  dyers’ and textile shop for example. Nowadays Poggibonsi is a leader in furniture, mechanical and electronic production and it has maintained an artisan background of absolute value. A visit to Poggibonsi begins with a symbolic place: ‘la Fonte delle Fate’, a large fountain with six double arches designed by Balugano from Crema in Senese style and then continue with a long stop in San Lucchese, a monastic complex that houses a church  preceded by a portico of absolute harmony with works by Bartolo di Fredi,  Cennino Cennini and Memmo of Filippuccio.