Perched on a hill above the Arno Valley, San Miniato has welcomed travelers along the Via Francigena for centuries. Its streets, churches and historic buildings tell the story of a town whose position made it an important crossroads in medieval Tuscany.

Above the town stands the Tower of Frederick II, a reminder of San Miniato’s strategic past and a place to admire the surrounding countryside. San Miniato is also celebrated for its white truffles, a distinctive part of its local food traditions.

For students following the ancient road, San Miniato offers a chance to experience the journey as earlier travelers did: approaching a hill town on foot and discovering the history, landscape and flavors that make it unique.