Hills of San Miniato

If you are traveling to Tuscany and want to visit a place free from the crowds of tourists but with a stunning view, you should head for the hills of San Miniato. The town sits on a hill about 30km south of Florence and has a beautiful historic center, but the best thing about it is that it offers one of the most spectacular views in Tuscany.

San Miniato's nature

The town is atop three small hills where it dominates the lower Arno valley, between the valleys of Egola and Elsa rivers. Visiting San Miniato in the spring is a right decision because it's a time of renewal and growth. Activities like hiking through the hills are very popular in Italy. The best time to sit on the hills is sundown because of its astonishing view.

The political value of San Miniato

The town itself is one of the oldest towns in Tuscany, it dates back to Roman times, but its heyday was between the 11th and 12th centuries when it became an crucial trading post along the Via Francigena. The town was so important that Frederick I Barbarossa and Henry VI stayed here during their travels through Italy before heading south to Rome. In 1207 San Miniato was declared an imperial city by Frederick II and its importance continued until the 14th century, when Florence became more powerful than San Miniato. 

The local mushroom economy

The town is also known for San Miniato's truffles, an expensive and in high demand mushroom. Here, the local economy revolves around hunting for these delicacies, which are considered one of Italy's most fancy and sought-after foods! The town is famous for its white truffle fair – the largest in Europe.