The nearly complete medieval circle of walls and towers on its hilltop, best at sunrise or in autumn mist.
Monteriggioni is a small village enclosed by an almost intact ring of medieval walls with fourteen towers, built by Siena in the early 13th century and mentioned by Dante. From the surrounding road and the olive and vineyard slopes, the walls form a clear circle on the hilltop and photograph best at sunrise or in early evening.
In spring the fields around the walls are green, in summer golden, and in autumn mist often fills the valley. The village is about 15 km northwest of Siena and can be reached by car or bus; check the Autolinee Toscane timetable on at-bus.it for the current service.
A telephoto lens compresses the towers against the sky, while a wide angle captures the entire ring. Drones are restricted near historic sites in Italy.
| Best time | Sunrise or early evening |
|---|---|
| Best season | April-June and September-October |
| Difficulty | Easy - roadside and village |
| Address | Piazza Roma, 53035 Monteriggioni SI, Italy |
Shooting notes
- Equipment
- Telephoto 70-200mm, wide-angle, tripod
- Lens
- 70-200mm; 24-70mm for village streets
- Composition
- Use roadside cypresses and olive rows for foreground; shoot from the lower slopes to emphasise the hilltop.
- Tip
- Aim for the first hour of light from the lower road to include the full wall circle.
Location
Piazza Roma, 53035 Monteriggioni SI, Italy
43.3917, 11.2217 View on map
Highlights
- Circle of fourteen towers around the village
- Hills of olive and vine around the walls
- Autumn mist and spring green
- Quiet village interior at dawn
Tips for visiting
- Parking is outside the walls.
- Visitors can walk part of the walls for a fee; check current hours.
- Avoid drone flights.
- Combine with the Via Francigena walk.
When to visit
Sunrise or autumn mist mornings
Accessibility
Village is small and mostly level; wall access has steps.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How far is Monteriggioni from Siena?
About 15 km.
Can I walk the walls?
Parts of the walls are open to visitors; check current hours and price locally.