Being mid-December and the school session rapidly coming to a close, I felt traveling to Monteriggioni would a welcome change of pace, full of the authenticity that many bigger Italian cities tend to lose sight of.
Since Monteriggioni borders near Florence, traveling to the stronghold would need nothing more than a day-trip.
I took a ride to the closet stop and was dropped off at the footing of the hillside which holds Monteriggioni in all its stone glory.
Monteriggioni's at it's historical peak was quite prominent. Not only was it a stopping-point for pilgrimages traveling to Rome, but also one of the strongest forts in all of Tuscany.
As I ascended towards Monteriggioni, I noticed it held much of its history on its appearance.
Due its drenched warfare past with invading barbarians, numerous guard towers and walls are battered and crumbled. While I'm sure the curator's could have easily repaired such deficiencies, by leaving it untouched we are able to view Monteriggioni in its true form.
I finally reached the gates and entered into the Italian fort.
The size of Monteriggioni is shockingly small. You could cross straight through the fort in less than five minutes. The town square Monteriggioni provides only a handful of memorabilia stores, couple of restaurants, a museum, and a small church.
Within in one of the restaurants, I saw a surprising picture of Robert Kennedy. Apparently, Kennedy visited the fort many years ago and spent time touring the area.
I toured the mini-museum and found it to be pleasant and enjoyable, full of recreated armor and dioramas. I also explored the small church and then ascended to the walls of Monteriggioni.
The view was impeccable, dipped in a visual feast full of meadows, forests, and endless green turf. Miles of fresh hillsides and grasslands, without the presence of technology or modernism. This is how the pilgrimages would have viewed the Tuscan landscape over five hundred years ago. Nothing has changed, for here, everything remains constant.
Many Italians were visiting the fort, allowing me to discern that it is in such sites that Italians spend their recreational time, not in the bustle of tourist attractions.
After immersing myself in the atmosphere of Monteriggioni, I spiraled down from stronghold.
Although it was a light affair, traveling to Monteriggioni was considerably pleasant, showcasing the quiet and natural diversity of Italy. A place dipped in history, rather than glamor. Plus, who doesn't want to the visit the hometown of fellow assassin, Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
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