Monteriggioni is one of the most classic and well-known Italian walled villages: it was built by Senesi in the years 1213-1219 on a hill dominated and controlled by Cassia/Francigena.
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Its ideal location allowed it to control the valleys of Elsa and Staggia towards Florence, Siena's historic rival, whose territory at the time was blazingly wide. The walls are almost solid, spanning 570 meters in length, and are between 14 towers and two gates. Porta Franca (or Romea towards Siena) rises at the base of a tower and St. Giovanni's (towards Florence) opens in the walls and is defended by one of the fortified surrounding towers.