Discover Montegabbro

Montegabbro brings together a section of the Via Francigena, archaeological sites, and points of reference in church history. For planning your trip, three questions are useful: Where does the route section begin, which historic sites are part of it, and what visiting conditions apply to Badia di Coneo?

The Via Francigena and historic sites

The southern section of the Via Francigena begins in Montegabbro and continues to Quartaia. The route includes the remains of Montegabbro Castle and the Etruscan necropolis of Dometaia. This means the route connects its starting point, considered an interesting medieval settlement, with sites relating to castle history and Etruscan history. Check the current route in advance if you are planning around it.

The Dometaia necropolis comprises 56 burials, dating from the middle of the 6th century BC to the first years of the 2nd century AD. Its dating therefore spans the transition from BC to AD. This places it in a much earlier period than the medieval church-history references to Badia di Coneo and San Pietro a Montegabbro.

Church history and historical dates

The route passes the new abbey church of Badia di Santa Maria a Coneo, consecrated in 1124. Badia di Coneo can be visited by arrangement; coordinate your visit locally in advance. Between 1200 and 1300, San Pietro a Montegabbro was one of the eleven suffragan churches of the Pieve di Coneo. These details refer to two different historical contexts: the year 1124 marks the consecration of the abbey church, while the period from 1200 to 1300 indicates San Pietro's position within the Pieve.

Settlement, location, and orientation

Montegabbro is one of the rural settlements of Colle di Val d’Elsa situated on a hill, and is considered an interesting medieval settlement. These features add the town's topographical setting and historical context to the route information.

The Montegabbro–Dometaia road connects the state road at Il Monte with Dometaia via Montegabbro; the southern section of the Via Francigena, by contrast, continues to Quartaia. This makes it easy to distinguish the two destinations, Dometaia and Quartaia, when planning your trip.

At the entrance to Montegabbro, a very old olive mill is incorporated into a building on private property; it may be located in a large Etruscan chamber tomb. The uncertainty here is important: Dometaia is an Etruscan necropolis, whereas the chamber tomb near the olive mill remains a possible interpretation.

Montegabbro as a hotel-search destination

If you are looking for a hotel in Montegabbro, start by considering the focus of your trip: Would you like to include the southern section of the Via Francigena, visit Dometaia as an archaeological site, or focus on medieval church history? This can help you decide whether the destination suits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Chianciano Terme, Trequanda, Scalvaia, Castellina In Chianti, Pienza, Taverne D'arbia, Castiglione D'orcia, Mensano

For the main travel overview: Siena.