Costalpino: Medieval History, Market and Getting There

In Costalpino, a medieval town center, the history of San Galganello, and a Thursday weekly market appeal to different travel interests. Also among the specific points of reference are a bus route running Siena–Costafabbri–Costalpino–Toiano–Tegoia and the provincial Mediofondo Strade Bianche route via SP73 Bis at Località Costalpino. Those planning a stay will find both historical topics and information to help with timing and transport planning.

Connections, Market and Routes

Autolinee Toscane bus route 140 runs along the Siena–Costafabbri–Costalpino–Toiano–Tegoia route. In this order, Costalpino lies between Costafabbri and Toiano, along the route from Siena to Tegoia. If you plan to use the route to get there, check the latest timetable details before travelling.

A weekly market is held in Costalpino every Thursday in the car park on the S.S. 73 Ponente. If the market is important to your trip, the day of the week becomes a specific factor in your planning. As market dates and local regulations may change, check the latest information before your visit.

The provincial Mediofondo Strade Bianche route is also of interest to cycling enthusiasts; it runs via SP73 Bis at Località Costalpino. The bus route and provincial route therefore provide different points of reference for routes through Costalpino. Details of the route and event may change, so check them before planning your trip.

Town Center and the History of San Galganello

Costalpino’s medieval town center was historically connected to the medieval monastery of San Galganello. The historic town center also contains a space carved into the tuff, which may originally have been a tomb. Its possible original function as a tomb remains a tentative interpretation.

A historic road connected the medieval town center to the medieval monastery of San Galganello. A road across the Sorra stream to Sant’Andrea a Montecchio is also documented. The two historic connections had different destinations: one led to the monastery, while the other crossed the Sorra to Sant’Andrea a Montecchio.

A hospice for pilgrims and travellers had existed near Costalpino since 1276; it later came to be called San Galganello. In 1292, Enrico Giliotti Incontri bequeathed the San Galganello hospice to the Cistercian monks of San Galgano. The bequest required the monks to build an adjoining oratory and hold religious services there. By 1319, they had already built a church and a palatial building resembling a small monastery. From that time, the complex was commonly called San Galganello.

In the wider Costalpino area, the former parish church of Santa Margherita had existed since the 12th century. The timeline therefore runs from this earlier religious connection through the hospice of 1276 and the bequest of 1292 to the buildings erected by 1319.

Discover more destinations: Il Piano, San Rocco A Pilli, Le Tolfe.

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