Colle di Val d’Elsa is a small town in Tuscany, Italy. In the past it has been known as Colle Verna, Colle della Verna, and Colle di Verna. It is located in the province of Siena, at an elevation of around 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
The towns’ main attraction is its location between the Val d’Elsa and Val d’Orcia valleys. This location gives it some stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The town itself has a population of around 4,000 people with a total area of around 37 square kilometers (14 sq mi).
History of Colle di Val d’Elsa
The history of Colle di Val d’Elsas goes back to Roman times when it was called Camaldoli or Camaldoli-Lavinae. The town’s name originates from Camaldolese monks who built a monastery there in 1143. During World War II, part of the town was destroyed by bombings but was rebuilt after the war ended.
This area has been inhabited since the Neolithic era (around 6,000 BCE), but it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that the town really began to flourish. In fact, it was originally called “Colle” because it was so difficult to reach: there were no roads leading into or out of the town until the late 1700s!
It wasn’t until 1785 that the town became a municipality, but by then it had already developed into a thriving agricultural community with thriving industries that included wine making and olive oil production.
Getting there
Airport: Pisa International Airport is about an hour away from Colle di Val d’Elsa by car or taxi. It’s served by several airlines including Alitalia and British Airways.
Train: There are no direct trains from Florence or Rome, but there are buses from both cities that travel directly through town. You can also take a train from Milan or Bologna; these will require switching trains at Empoli (30 minutes away).
Bus: Buses run regularly between Colle di Val d’Elsa and other major cities in Tuscany such as Florence, Siena, Arezzo, and Pistoia.
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