Holiday apartment in Montauto: history, trails and wine

Montauto brings together nature, history and wine. Historic sites, hilly trails and vineyards surrounding the village of the same name characterize the area. Between an ancient route, a church with a remarkable history and a circular trail through fields and forests, the village reveals a diverse character.

San Lorenzo and the history of Montauto

The castle of Montagutolo is also known as Montauto and has been documented since the 10th century. Formerly known as Montagutolo, Montauto was once a group of houses enclosed by a ring wall, which developed around a castle and a church and overlooked the surrounding landscape. A church in Montauto dedicated to Saint Lawrence was expressly mentioned in a document issued by Pope Alexander III in 1171.

The Church of San Lorenzo was rebuilt after it was destroyed together with the castle of Montauto in the first half of the 13th century. In 1784, San Lorenzo in Montauto was elevated to the status of a provost church. The building is rectangular and has no apse; stone and brick characterize its construction. The church also contains a painting of Our Lady of the Rosary with Saints Lawrence, Agnes and Dominic, dating from 1647.

Circular trail through the landscape and nature

A circular trail of approximately 6 km leads through fields, forests and paths to an old mill and the village of Montauto. The trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking San Gimignano. Traces of wild animals can be spotted along the circular trail, which also features local geological formations. The trail therefore combines exercise, observing the landscape and specific points of interest, without the outing having to focus solely on a historical visit.

Via Francigena and access road

Montauto lies on the ancient, hilly route of the Via Francigena. In the surrounding area, the 31.3 km-long Via Francigena Stage 32 runs from San Gimignano to Monteriggioni. Water and refreshment facilities are available on this stage only in the inhabited centres. The present-day access to Montauto is a local connecting road that branches off to the left from a more important road leading from San Gimignano to Volterra via Castelsangimignano.

Wine route and vineyards around Montauto

The Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine route leads in the direction of Montauto, where visitors can visit the area's wine cellars. Since the 1980s, the agricultural business “Castello di Montauto” has cultivated the vineyards surrounding the village of the same name. The wine route, wine cellars and vineyards thus complement Montauto's historical themes with regional wine experiences.

Accommodation and ideas for day trips in Montauto

When choosing a holiday apartment in Montauto, the focus is therefore less on a single destination than on the desired combination: observing nature, historical architecture, the Via Francigena or regional wine themes. The availability of water and refreshments in the inhabited centres along the stage is one of the practical considerations when planning your own day.

For further orientation within the wider area, you can also explore Ulignano.

For the overarching travel overview: San Gimignano.