Along the Via Francigena. The Ancient Medieval Road
Along the Via Francigena. The Ancient Medieval Road
5.0 (2)
7 days6 nights
Italy
Difficulty
Moderate
Comfort
Upscale
Weight limit
90 kg
/
198 lb
The Via Francigena has represented over the centuries, since the early Middle Ages (year 476 AD - 1000 AD), the route followed by pilgrims from central-northern Europe, to reach Rome, seat of the Papacy and heart of Christianity.
In 2004, this route was declared a "Great European Cultural Itinerary" by the Council of Europe, similarly to the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
What is known today as the Via Francigena is the 1800 km route taken by Archbishop Sigerico in the year 990 to return to Canterbury from Rome after meeting Pope John XV. In addition to the Sigerico route there are many paths, variations, used by pilgrims, merchants, soldiers for convenience, climatic conditions, for minor destinations, or to reduce the distances and difficulties of their journeys.
When you see a horse for the first time you can have two reactions: fear or amazement. I had the second one, I was five years old.
I began a journey made of sacrifices, lessons, competitions in various disciplines at various levels, even important ones, in an environment where sporting results at increasingly higher levels count.
Then I changed my point of view.
Great women and horsemen, famous or not, who fortunately I met, taught me that technique is very useful and you can learn it, training is fundamental with the right times, healthy competition is not negative if it respects a living being cognitive and complex, but it is important to "observe, wait and listen".
In that moment everything changed, the sacrifices, the comparisons, the frustrations increased, and then in small steps we reached the goal: doing things "for" the horse and not just "with".
This is what I do with horses and this is what I try to convey to my students, and sometimes when the results are slow in coming I always remember a phrase from a great horse man, Ray Hunt:
“… believe in your horse and he will believe in you”.
In 1999, after long training, I obtained the third level federal instructor license for hippotherapy and equestrian guide and in 2000 I began to deal exclusively with teaching and equestrian tourism and since 2013 I have been doing so here in Tuscany, in Siena, with my legally registered business, organizing various types of equestrian experiences, including horseback riding trips.
I am aware that the horse arouses emotions, fascinates, but you must approach it safely and with the awareness of "meeting" a cognitive, intelligent and different living being compared to others, for many reasons.
For this reason I do not "rental" horses but propose, with great passion, "tailor-made and quality" activities for guests, with particular attention to safety and fun.
With my equestrian experiences I want to share the passion for these splendid animals, for nature, the millenary history and the excellence of this part of Tuscany, combining them with the ancient and slow rhythm of traveling on horseback.
Anyone who wants to "take time" and have an equestrian experience in the Tuscan nature is welcome.
Nothing and no one is perfect, but what I do I do with great passion!
Tour highlights
Ride Along the Ancient Medieval Road
Riding on the Via Francigena is like going back in time
Discover Historical Places
Visit the most typical for this part of Tuscany places
Admire Tuscany Nature
Ride on the hills and endless fields
Route details
Day 1
Arrival
Meeting at the Siena railway station, airport or directly at the equestrian center. Assignment of accommodation and at dinner you will meet your equestrian guides, who will explain the trekking program to you.
Day 2
Towards the Abbadia Isola
Meeting of the riders at the equestrian center at about 9.30 and departure to reach Monteriggioni. In the first part, the route crosses Pian del Lago, where until the mid-18th century there was a lake (or rather a swamp) called Verano which was completely reclaimed by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo.
This stretch of the Via Francigena will lead us to the Castello Della Chiocciola with its cylindrical tower which contains a beautiful 'spiral' staircase and then to the Castello di Monteriggioni built between 1214 and 1219.
After the lunch stop and still on the Via Francigena, we meet Abbadia Isola. “Abbadia” stands for abbey, while “Isola” because it stood on the marshy Lake Verano. After Castel Pietraio we reach the stopping point for of this first day.
Day 3
San Gimignano
Departure from the horse stop point to reach the territory of San Gimignano in the Montauto area. This route develops around the Val d'Elsa, a beautiful part of Tuscany between Siena and Florence. Its origins seem to date back to the Etruscan era (9th century BC), but it is thanks to the Via Francigena that the Valdelsa became an important social, political, and economic center. Before returning to the horse stop, we will stop for lunch along one of the Francigena paths just like medieval travellers.
Day 4
Montagnola Senese
Today we will ride along the paths of the Montagnola Senese, one of the most interesting areas in southern Tuscany from a naturalistic point of view. It is a hilly area with reliefs of about 500 – 600 m a.s.l. which has been populated since Etruscan and Roman times but has preserved its naturalness. We will meet the remains of the Nagli Chapel from the Romanesque era, the Marmoraia fortified village dating back to the early Middle Ages with its Pieve, and the Borgo di Scorgiano.
Day 5
Historical Route
This part of the journey will take us back to the equestrian center following the paths of the Montagnola Senese, but for a few hours we will leave the Middle Ages to enter the 1900s. We reach Casa Giubileo which is located on Montemaggio. This is a place to "not forget" because, during the Second World War, it was the scene on March 28, 1944, of one of the most dramatic episodes of the struggle for liberation. In this place we will find hospitality and we can, for those who wish, visit the Rooms of Memory.
Day 6
Via Francigena
We travel along the Via Francigena to reach the Hermitage of Lecceto built between 1189 and 1223. The church, known since 1223, was rebuilt in 1317 and enlarged in 1344. Continuing, we reach the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago. news of the presence of a hermit community dates to the year 1112, but its existence seems to date back before the 12th century. Along the way we will find La Piramide, an obelisk in memory of the reclamation of Pian del Lago. After the lunch stop at the fortified village of La Villa, an official stopping point on the Francigena, we return to the equestrian center leaving the Castello della Chiocciola behind us.
Day 7
Saturday
Breakfast and departure
Difficulty
Moderate
Tour provider's comments
The journey doesn’t hide any particular difficulties, lasts five and half days with approx. 4/6 hours in the saddle per day. In case and if possible we can modify the gait.
The trip is for riders of medium experience who have control at all paces.
Accommodation
Comfort
Upscale
Hotel
6 nights
For the stay of our guests, the Agriturismo La Selva, within the estate, offers various types of accommodation.
In ancient and typical Tuscan farmhouses, welcoming and comfortable rooms are available apartments, all with private bathrooms and fully furnished.
6 nights
La Selva Farm House
Travel recommendations
Group meeting place
La Selva Agriturismo, Strada del Pian del Lago, 19, Siena, Province of Siena, Italy
Tour conditions
Included
seven days / six nights in a double room in full board formula;
a shuttle service will take care of all guests transfer;
the itineraries;
lunch stops along the routes and dinners include beverages;
wine tasting in the farm.
Extras
transfer from / to airport.
Group size
up to 8 tourists
Duration
7 days
6 nights
It's important to know
Cancellation of booking
In case of early cancellation of the reservation, we will be forced to withhold from you a percentage of the price paid:
30 days before - 25%
from 29 days up to 3 days before the start - 50%
Tour reviews
5.0
Based on 2 reviews
A
Alessandro
10 Jan, 2024
about provider
Sergio really loves what he does and knows a lot about it. My wife and I didn't spend that much time here but he made sure the activity suited us perfectly. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Riding around the ranch was really enjoyable and safe. Grazie.
10 Jan, 2024
V
Valentina
6 Oct, 2023
about provider
Il trekking con Sergio non è solo camminare a cavallo. Oltre alla sua bravura equestre e ai suoi ottimi cavalli, c'è tanto altro: la vita vissuta, la conoscenza del luogo, della storia, della cucina, il tutto accompagnato dalla sua gentilezza e simpatia! Grazie Sergio per le splendide giornate dell'estate!
