DISTANCE FROM BORGO AL CERRO: ca 10 km (10 mins)
A bustling small town
and the "Home of
Lead-Crystal Glass", it merits more than one visit,
especially the upper (old) town, given the fact it is so close
to the Residence; the birthplace of the multi-talented medieval
artist Arnolfo di Cambio.
 DON'T
MISS
PALAZZO CAMPANA
DUOMO (richly decorated interior; bronze CRUCIFIX by Giambologna,
bronze LECTERN by Pietro Tacca, FONT, CHAPEL OF THE SACRED
NAIL and important paintings)
CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO, and SANTA MARIA IN CANONICA (church)
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
CHURCH OF SANT’AGOSTINO (lower part of town)
EVENTS
Throughout the year: theatre
shows
June: La Sagra della Miseria
(in Piazza Santa Caterina - local traditional rustic cooking
fair)
Throughout the summer: cultural
events, musical and artistic events
First three weekends in September:
lead-crystal glass fair with exhibitions of glassware from
all the local lead-crystal glass firms
September: Festa del Santo
Chiodo with solemn blessing of the town and procession with
important relic
End of September: Sagra
delle Regioni: gastronomic fair representing every region
in Italy (traditional dishes) in Piazza Duomo
October/November: Castagne
e Vin Novo fair (roast chestnuts and red wine), in streets
of old part of town
ADVICE
I n the immediate environs of Colle, visit the SANTUARIO della
MADONNA delle GRAZIE, at Le Grazie, on the outskirts of town,
and the rural ABBAZIA DI CONEO (book first), a fine example
of a Romanesque church. A visit to the town after dusk is
recommended. You can shop for lead-crystal glass in the old
part of town, or at the new OUTLET in the La Badia district,
near the large factory CALP.
FINE FOOD AND WINE
Many restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias and wine shops, some
of excellent quality. |
