There are still some remains of the wall, while the castle was transformed into a private villa during the 16th century. The local artisans are very skilled in working the so-called “marble from Siena”, which is extracted in the surroundings of Sovicille and has been used since the 12th century. As you enter Sovicille, in the marvellous countryside, you should visit the Pieve di Ponte allo Spino, dedicated to John the Baptist and built in a Romanesque style between the 11th and 12th century by the Vallombrosian monks of the abbey of Torri. It is one of the oldest baptismal churches of the Diocese of Siena. The imposing bell-tower witnesses the two functions of the church, a holy building and a military defence. Next to the church you find the remains of the ancient monastery, the cloister and another building.
Leaving Siena, there is another interesting itinerary which passes Monteriggioni and goes to San Gimignano. The village of Monteriggioni, an fortified outpost controlled by the Sienese and the Florentines alternatively, preserves intact its round boundary wall with the 14 towers. A rare example of medieval military architecture, fortified in the 13th century and completely intact. It is worth the time to walk under along the wall, among olive-trees and narrow streets which leads you to small inns. Not far from Monteriggioni, Abbadia Isola is a village developed around the Cistercenian abbey of San Salvatore, which was founded around the 11th century. Inside the monumental complex you find the Romanesque church which features a Longobard sarcophague, frescoes from the 16th century, a baptismal font from the 15th century and an altar-piece by Sano di Pietro. Staggia Senese is located in the valley of Elsa and preserves its medieval architecture from the 14th century. You still find the boundary wall and an imposing keep, while the Museo della Pieve hosts the Comunione di Santa Maria Maddalena by Antonio del Pollaiolo.