The oldest part of the town is the "colle alta", the higher part, with a well preserved medieval center. The town developed along the river from the 11th century building an artificial canal to power various industrial activities, such as wheat mills and paper factories.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfSSVoAN4jeZe5WeiqT6cT90DUGAgaGXgLXFE2OUonVy0U9XBjB-z3FOBvnm28pPcwaMMyBOyjjNOa8eY8FzRDvnCarkNpTRRmo1UVYH2mdHvJenzC792yyrPW7gB_j1DwEy-tJhLNWQ/s640/IMG_20130918_074556.jpg)
We stayed at the pilgrim's accomodations of Seminario Vescovile San Cuore.
Here, the atmosphere suddenly changes: narrow paved lanes, magnificent 15th and 16th-century noble houses (notable are Palazzo Luci, Palazzo Morozzi, Palazzo Giusti, Palazzo Dini), fascinating tower-houses (notable is the one where Arnolfo di Cambio was born).
The Parco fluviale Alta Val d'elsa was superb.
L'Officina della Cucina Popolare serves cibo delizioso.