Ponte A Tressa: Via Francigena and local history

Ponte A Tressa focuses on two themes: the history along the Via Francigena and the routes leading toward Grancia di Cuna. When planning your trip, you can consider whether to focus primarily on historical sites or a specific stage. The town’s history offers different ways to explore it: the Spedale, church, and pilgrimage route tell of the town’s different functions.

The Spedale, pilgrimage history, and church

The Spedale of Tressa was founded by Ugolino Quintavalle in 1219. It stood beside a small church originally dedicated to Santa Maria, also known as S. Maria al Ponte. In the 13th century, the hospital of Tressa was one of eight hospitals counted between Ponte A Tressa and Ponte d’Arbia. The hospital’s history can therefore also be viewed in the broader context of the area between the two bridge towns.

Sant’Angelo a Tressa developed as a hamlet on the Via Francigena, at the foot of a small fortified site belonging to the noble Salvani family. The church of San Michele Arcangelo is also closely connected with the town’s history: a papal bull dated April 20, 1189, mentions it under the name S. Angelo al Ponte. In 1422, the church was rebuilt at the city of Siena’s expense on the Roman post road, where the Tressa meets the Arbia.

The church of San Michele Arcangelo contains important works of art by Francesco Vanni, Rustici, Petrazzi, Annibale Mazzuoli, Rutilio, Volpi, and Beccafumi. The church’s early mention, its reconstruction in the 15th century, and its artworks offer different historical and cultural points of interest for a stay that takes in the town’s history.

The Via Francigena and choosing a route

A stage of the Via Francigena can be split at Ponte A Tressa. The route follows Sentiero delle Crete No. 502 to its junction with Sentiero No. 500, which comes from nearby Isola d’Arbia, and then continues toward Ponte A Tressa. If you divide your route into sections, the junction of the two paths is a useful landmark. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

A route from Ponte A Tressa toward Grancia di Cuna follows a gravel road across flat or gently rolling terrain at the foot of gentle hills. The Il Granaio di Siena cycling loop passes close to Ponte A Tressa and then follows a gravel road to Grancia di Cuna. These details offer different points of reference when choosing a route: the first route is described in terms of its surface and terrain, while the cycling loop is described by its course near the town and the gravel section to Grancia.

Further historical traces and events

The history of Tressa also includes Etruscan finds. Over the centuries, Ponte A Tressa had at least two mills. A mill documented in contracts was located in Pontegrosso; it is thought to have stood near the bridge over the Tressa and the present-day church at the start of the Borgo, probably farther east toward the Arbia. The uncertainty around its location is part of this historical account.

A recurring event is the Mostra Nazionale Canina (CAC). The Gruppo Cinofilo Senese organizes it annually; since 2002, it has been held at the Centro Sportivo di Ponte A Tressa. If you would like to include the event in your travel plans, check the dates for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Trequanda, Badiaccia A Montemuro, San Quirico D'orcia, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Scalvaia, Colle Di Val D'elsa, Abbadia San Salvatore, Torri

For the broader travel overview: Siena.