Siena

Via Cassia

When it come to visiting Tuscany, Siena is not an optional stop, it is essential for your adventure to be complete. Siena's magnificent striped Duomo, the monuments in the famous Piazza del Campo and the warren of narrow streets and alleys must be explored before continuing on your journey.

It is amazing to think what Siena would have looked like if the plague didn't end their dreams of power. The Duomo of today is only a fraction the size of the original plan, which would have been the largest church in the world. Siena's hilly terrain is a good way to stretch out your legs after so much time spent in the car and certainly calls for at least an overnight stay. A litte longer stay and Siena makes a nice base to explore the countryside that includes the famous Chianti wine producting area. However if you decide to visit during the summer's Palio horse race, it will be difficult to find accomodation within the historic city center.

Ponte Vecchio in Firenze

After thoroughly exploring Siena, pick up the Via Cassia again northeast of the town center on the SS2 highway heading towards Firenze - Florence.

Siena to Florence

After leaving Siena the famous Via Cassia continues north through Tuscany toward Florence. Once again following highway SS2/SR2 the first sight outside of Siena is the walled medieval town of Monteriggioni, resting on the top of a hill like a stone crown. It was constructed by Siena in order to control the Via Cassia in the Middle Ages and is in an incredible state of preservation. Whether you decide to visit or just pass by, Monteriggioni and the surrounding area make for some excellent photographs.

Duomo of Firenze

Poggibonsi is the next town along the Via Cassia and has some worthwhile sight seeing attractions from its long and eventful history. The town has been associated with the Via Francigena pilgrim route since the early medieval period and had been destroyed in the 13^th century. Today the Via Cassia passes right through the town, there are still a few nice old churches and Poggibonsi is a great place to pick up some local Chianti. On the West you can also deviate for a worthy visit to San Gimignano.

Visiting Florence and all it has to offer can take days, especially on your first visit. However it is possible to see the major sights like the Duomo, the David and the Medici Chapel in a short time. Unless you buy your tickets in advance, expect to wait at the Uffizi gallery, which may interfere with enjoying some excellent shopping and delicious food.  Take a least two full days off from the road; one to get some of the major sights done, another to take your time shopping and eating as you walk through the epicenter of the Renaissance. Although Florence, with all the sights, markets, artisans and food gets better the longer you stay.

The Ancient Route Beyond Florence

Although the Via Cassia today ends in Florence, you can still travel Italy's two lane highways to where the ancient road merged with the Via Aurelia. From Florence head toward the town of Pistoia on one of the smaller roads such as SS66 or SP1/SP126. Pistoia is a beautiful city, a little off the tourist map with some excellent surviving medieval architecture, a nice Pisan style Duomo and a striped marble baptistry.

Lucca panorama

From Pistoia, head southwest along SR435 toward Lucca, but before that, you may want to visit the spa town of Montecatini Terme. It is a charming medieval town with some sights, but thousands come every year to enjoy the many spa treatments available. From here, finish off your journey along the ancient Via Cassia route by heading to the magnificently preserved Renaissance town of Lucca.

Lucca's city center is still surrounded by its fortified walls and within lies a virtual time capsule of Renaissance Italy. The most famous of Lucca's treasures is kept within the Duomo: The Volto Santo, or Holy Face, of Lucca.

Still looking for more ancient roads to travel? From Lucca, the ancient Via Cassia would eventually merge with the Via Aurelia. Today you can pick up the modern Via Aurelia and continue on to Genoa.

By Justin Demetri

See Part I Via Cassia