Montauto: Church, History and Trails

Montauto combines a long history with the church of San Lorenzo and trails through the surrounding area. Three aspects are especially useful when planning a stay: the historical development of San Lorenzo, the local circular trail, and the longer Via Francigena stage in the wider area.

Montauto’s History and the Church of San Lorenzo

Montauto, formerly called Montagutolo, was a group of houses enclosed by a ring wall. It developed around a castle and a church and overlooked the surrounding countryside. The castle of Montagutolo, also known as Montauto, is documented from the 10th century. A document issued by Pope Alexander III in 1171 explicitly mentions a church in Montauto dedicated to Saint Lawrence.

The church and castle were destroyed in the first half of the 13th century; San Lorenzo was subsequently rebuilt. In 1784, the church was elevated to the status of a provost church. A painting from 1647 depicts the Madonna of the Rosary with Saints Lawrence, Agnes and Dominic. San Lorenzo is a rectangular stone-and-brick building without an apse. The town’s history, the church’s later changes, and its artistic and architectural history each offer different ways to explore the site.

Circular Trail Through the Surrounding Area

An approximately six-kilometre circular trail passes through fields and woods and follows paths to an old mill and the village of Montauto. The route includes a viewpoint overlooking San Gimignano. Traces of wildlife can also be spotted along the way; such signs are seasonal and variable. Local geological formations can also be found along the trail.

The distance is approximate. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as they may change. The view from the viewpoint may vary depending on the weather and vegetation. When planning, you can therefore consider the stated distance, the destinations on the loop, and possible nature sightings separately.

Via Francigena: Planning a Different Route

Montauto lies on the ancient, hilly route of the Via Francigena. This is distinct from Stage 32, a 31.3-kilometre route from San Gimignano to Monteriggioni that passes through the wider area around Montauto. On this stage, water and food supplies are available only in inhabited centres. The circular trail and the stage are on different scales: one leads to a mill, a village and a viewpoint; the other connects two named places and requires careful planning for supplies along the route.

Wine Route and Getting There

The Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine route heads towards Montauto; visitors can visit wine cellars in the surrounding area. If you are planning a cellar visit, check the current opening hours and visiting arrangements in advance. Separately, the “Castello di Montauto” agricultural business has cultivated the vineyards around the village of the same name since the 1980s.

Today, Montauto is reached via a local connecting road. It branches off to the left from a more important road that runs from San Gimignano to Volterra via Castelsangimignano. Check current road conditions when planning your journey. This makes it possible to plan the town visit, a loop through the surrounding area, and a possible longer stage as distinct parts of the trip.

Discover more destinations: Ulignano.

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