Colle grew rich on paper and wool long before glass making. There were water mills powered by the Elsa river and various canals. the town had been an independent city state, but then sided with Siena which was a big mistake because 9 years after the Sienese victory at the battle of Montaperti 1260, the Florentines ransacked the town. The Upper town of Colle is called ‘Colle Alto’ and it is here that the real attraction of the town lies. Very compact, stradling a ridge with only three parallel streets (and two of these partially tunnelled walkways). You have a tiny Piazza il Duomo with the old bishop and council Pallazzas which are both 13th century huddled around it. The Campanelle bell and clock tower is quite interesting. Beside this is the Palazzo Pretorio 14th Century, decorated with various coats of arms (now the archaeological museum). At the Arnolfo Hotel end of the Via del Castello, is the interesting Renaissance portal structure called the Palazzo Campana built in 1539 by Baccio d’ Agnolo. From here a bridging ramp takes you from the mediaeval core to the more “recent” renaissance buildings. At the far end of Colle Alto, i.e: where the wide brick ramp winds into the upper part of town, there is a small Piazza with a bust of Arnolfo de Cambio born 1232 who was the architect of the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Near the bust is his house at No.63. Nearby also is a tiny Piazza with a nice bar and a pretty romanesque church with a tree growing out of its spire. This is the 12th century santa Maria in Canonica.