An easy walk from Villa Boccella, the lovely town of Ponte a Moriano had everything we could possibly need. A butchers shop,

bakery with stupendous custard tarts

as well as another pastry shop we didn’t sample.

On the opposite side was a rather impressive gelataria that we again, sadly, didn’t try.

Further down the road was a bar next to a small supermarket

and heading out of town, the Melody Caffè advertised live music along with good food, beer and wine.

Of course, the collection would be incomplete without a $2 shop or, in this case, a €1 & €2 shop.

A very unassuming façade disguised the presence of a fabulous restaurant, Da Pinzo, where we enjoyed a delicious meal or two.

Tuesday was market day and we wandered down to Piazza Cesare Battisti on a beautiful, sunny morning to see what was on offer. There were colourful plants

and clothing

and more plants

and vegetables.

Satisfied with our purchases, we explored the town further and came across an old wall with steps that led to the other side.

From the top of the wall we could see the Ponte di Sant’Ansano. The bridge was built in 1828 to replace the original medieval wooden structure, built in 1115, that was destroyed by floods in 1819.

Ponte a Moriano means, ‘bridge in the Moriano locality’ but the actual bridge is named after Saint Ansano, the patron saint of Siena who died in 304 AD. In the centre of the bridge, there is a statue of the Virgin and Saint Ansano.

The view downstream is peaceful, the gentle sound of water tumbling over rocks a salve for the soul.

This lovely home has prime position.

Once across the bridge,

we could look back at the town and the riverside homes upstream.

The magnificent Convento dell’Angelo was clearly visible, the white walls contrasting vividly with the green of the hillside.

The church and adjoining monastery was built in the 1820s for the Passionist Fathers and is now home to the Academy of Montegral.

There were so many things to appreciate in Ponte a Moriano, one that really stole our hearts was this little Fiat. I want one.