Gambassi Terme
Gambassi Terme is a small town in the province of Florence, set among the hills of the Val d'Elsa along the ancient route of the V...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Gambassi Terme now
The story
The story of Gambassi Terme
Introduction and Location
Gambassi Terme lies in the Val d'Elsa, in the province of Florence, roughly halfway between Florence and Siena and not far from the famous towers of San Gimignano. The municipal territory unfolds across a typically Tuscan hilly landscape of gentle ridges, woodland and cultivated fields. The town owes part of its renown to thermal waters used since ancient times and to its strategic position along the Via Francigena, the historic pilgrim route linking northern Europe to Rome, once travelled by wayfarers, merchants and pilgrims heading toward the holy city.
History and Origins
The origins of Gambassi date back to the Middle Ages, when the village grew as a stopping point for pilgrims travelling the Via Francigena, an important stage on the route leading to Rome. Over the centuries the town built a strong artisan tradition tied to glassmaking, an activity that shaped the local economy from the late medieval period onward and remains part of the community's identity today. The history of Gambassi Terme is intertwined with that of neighbouring San Gimignano and Volterra, in an area long a crossroads of trade and culture between Florence and Siena.
Nature and Landscape
The countryside around Gambassi Terme is classic Tuscan landscape: gentle hills covered in vineyards, olive groves and coppiced woodland, crossed by white gravel roads and paths that retrace the old pilgrim routes. The stillness of the countryside, the scenic viewpoints along the ridges and the clean air of the thermal areas make this territory a rewarding destination for slow travel, made up of walks, cycling and pauses in nature. The contrast between cultivated fields and denser woods reflects the typical variety of the Valdelsa, with views that change colour with every season.
What to Do and See
In the centre of Gambassi Terme it is worth strolling through the streets of the old village, where the atmosphere of a former stopping place on the Via Francigena still lingers, with its Collegiata church and views over the surrounding hills. Those who enjoy walking or cycling can follow the stretches of the pilgrim route that cross the municipal territory, often part of longer itineraries toward San Gimignano. The thermal properties of the local waters, known since ancient times, offer a chance to relax, while small workshops linked to the glassmaking tradition let visitors discover an age-old craft still alive in the community.
Flavours and Traditions
The table of Gambassi Terme reflects the rustic cuisine of Tuscany, built around extra-virgin olive oil, unsalted bread, pulses, game and cheeses from the surrounding countryside, often paired with wines from the Valdelsa and the nearby San Gimignano area. Village festivals, tied to the farming calendar and the seasons, remain an occasion to taste traditional dishes and bring the community together around outdoor tables. Alongside the food culture, the memory of glassmaking is kept alive through objects, artisan workshops and local initiatives that pass the knowledge on to residents and visitors alike.
Not to be missed
- The historic centre of Gambassi Terme and the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta
- The stretch of the Via Francigena crossing the municipal territory
- The thermal waters and curative properties of the local springs
- The workshops linked to the local glassmaking tradition
- The Valdelsa hills with views toward San Gimignano
To see
What to see in Gambassi Terme
Routes · Trovido Route
