7. Siena (Monteroni d'Arbia) to Buonconvento (Stage 34/5)
Thursday 12th October 2023
The standard for this stage is to walk from Siena to Ponte d'Arbia, which is 25.8km with 130m of ascent and 300m of descent. I wanted to vary this for two reasons (a) the walk out of Siena along the road is not very attractive and (b) there is nothing much at Ponte d'Arbia with limited accommodation and restaurants. I wanted to go to Buonconvento, which is another 5km, but I did not want a 30km plus walk. Hence I decided to take a bus or taxi to Isola d'Arbia or Monteroni d'Arbia to shave off some distance from the front end.
The tourist office gave me information about Bus 114 which leaves Siena Porta Pispini for both Isola d'Arbia and Monteroni d'Arbia.
Porta Pispini |
Isola d'Arbia |
7-32 |
7-45 |
10-55 |
11-08 |
Since I had a pre-paid breakfast at Hotel Duomo and breakfast did not start until 7-30 a.m. the first bus was not of interest. The second bus was a bit late if I were to walk from Isola d'Arbia to Buonconvento.
So, the timings effectively made the decision for me..... I would take the bus as far as Monteroni d'Arbia and walk to Buonconvento. I was comfortable with this as I had been in Buonconvento in 2019, and had actually walked Buonconvento to San Quirico d'Orcia at that time. Decision made. Now..... where is the nearest Tabac?
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| Distance |
Time |
Elevation in meters |
Km |
Elapsed
Hrs-Mins |
Moving
Hrs-Mins |
Gain |
Loss |
Min |
Max |
| 20.37 |
4H39 |
3H41 |
242 |
262 |
139 |
229 |
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Courtesy of www.gronze.com
Courtesy of Garmin
Original map courtesy of "The Via Francigena Terre De Mezzo by Roberta Ferraris "
Porta Pispini
Ensured I was at the bus stop on the right side of the road.
I asked a local person, and he advised me that I needed the "S2" bus for Monteroni.
Leaving Siena
Arriving at Monteroni d'Arbia
The bus stop is by this garage. The road alongside the garage joins the Via Francigena after about 1 km
Looking across to the fortified grain store at Cuna
Joining the Via Francigena
Bar at Ponte d'Arbia
The bridge at Ponte d"Arbia. There is a separate footbridge for walkers but it was closed.
Buonconvento
Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo
This church was built in the 14th century and completely restored in 1705. Only a few works of the original furnishing remain; a painting representing the "Madonna Enthroned with Child and Two Angels" from 1450 by Matteo di Giovanni; and early 15th century fresco representing the " Coronation of the Holy Virgin" by an unknown Sienese artist and a second half of the 15th century painting representing the "Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints" by Pietro di Francesco Orioli from Siena. |
The social gathering
Accommodation
Hotel Ghibellino
Restaurant
Pici al Ragù Toscano
(Freshly hand made long thick pasta with pork, beef and tomato ragu)
Bavarese alle fragole su crema inglese
(Strawberry Bavarese on English custard)
Rosso di Montacino wine (Tricerchi)
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