WELCOME TO
Altalena Summer Residency
We’re dialogArti, a cultural association based in Colle di Val d’Elsa and Altalena’s local partner.
We’ll be here throughout the festival to welcome you, help you navigate the town and make your stay as easy and enjoyable as possible.
This page is your practical guide during the festival.
Here you’ll find everything you may need: festival locations, rehearsal spaces, accommodation rules, transport, meals and useful contacts.
Please save this page on your phone so you can easily find it whenever you need it.
We’re very happy to have you here.
Welcome to Colle, and welcome to Altalena!
THE CONVENT
Your Altalena home
During Altalena, the Convent becomes much more than a venue.
It is a place to stay, practice, rehearse, meet and make music together, inside a historic building that welcomes musicians, guests and pilgrims throughout the year.
Practice & Rehearsal Spaces
Several rooms inside the Convent are available for individual practice and rehearsals.
Use the map below to find the spaces available to you.
TAKING CARE OF THE CONVENT
Take care of yourself, of what you use, and of where you go, you will discover how beautiful it is to leave a place better than you found it.
The Convent is a historic building shared with many other people.
During your time here, we ask you to treat its rooms, objects and atmosphere with care.
While you are at the Convent
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Take care of the Convent's furnishings. Do not move them from the rooms where they belong and always return anything you use to its original place.
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Please do not move vases or flowers.
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Do not hang papers, decorations or anything else on the historic walls.
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Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
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Please use water responsibly.
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Do not eat inside the bedrooms or leave organic waste in the rooms.
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Smoking is forbidden inside the Convent, including in the cloisters.
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If a wastebasket in your room is full, please notify the staff or empty it into the designated bins on the ground floor.
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If anything is broken or damaged, please inform the staff responsible for the building.
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Please respect the quiet, atmosphere and shared nature of this place.
IF YOU ARE STAYING AT THE CONVENT
Before leaving at the end of your stay, please take a few minutes to leave your room ready for the people arriving after you.
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Fold the blankets and put them, together with the pillows, back in the closets.
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Clean the bathroom before leaving.
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Turn off the boiler using the switch behind the door — down means OFF.
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If you have left dirt on the floor or on the beds, please clean it up.
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Check carefully that you have not left any personal belongings behind.
Other pilgrims will arrive after you. Leaving everything in order is a simple gesture of care for the people who will come next.
Need Help?
If you have a problem with your room, a practice space or anything inside the Convent, please contact the Altalena staff.
GETTING AROUND
Find your way around Colle di Val d’Elsa
Altalena takes place in different locations around Colle di Val d’Elsa.
To make getting around easier, we have created an Altalena Google Map with all the places you may need during the festival.
ALTALENA GOOGLE MAP
This is the easiest way to find your way around during Altalena.
On the map you will find:
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concert venues
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practice and rehearsal spaces
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accommodation
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Altalena partner restaurants and food options
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supermarket
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The swimming pool
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other useful places
We recommend saving the map on your phone.
VISIT COLLE
Colle Alta
The historic heart
This is the oldest part of Colle di Val d’Elsa: stone streets, medieval buildings, small squares and panoramic views over the Tuscan countryside.
Take some time to simply walk around and get lost in its streets — many of Altalena’s locations are right here.
Colle Bassa
The everyday town
Down the hill, Colle Bassa is the more contemporary and lively part of town, where you’ll find shops, cafés, supermarkets and most everyday services.
You can reach Colle Bassa on foot or by Pollicino, the local urban bus service.
A little culture break?
Colle has a surprisingly rich cultural heritage. If you have some free time between rehearsals and concerts, you can explore its museums and discover the history, art and traditions of the town — from archaeology to sacred art and Colle’s long connection with crystal.
Tap below to discover Colle’s museums.
A little nature break?
Just a few minutes from town, SentierElsa is one of Colle’s most beautiful natural spots: a trail following the Elsa River through turquoise waters, waterfalls and lush vegetation.
Perfect for a walk, some fresh air and a little escape into nature between rehearsals and concerts.
Walk
Explore the trail along the river, surrounded by greenery, waterfalls and hidden corners. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Swim
Please note that swimming is not permitted along SentierElsa.
If you want to take a swim, head to Le Vene di Onci, the designated area where bathing is allowed.
Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel!
Find your spot
You can find Le Vene di Onci and the waterfalls marked on our Altalena map.
Bring comfortable shoes and your swimsuit if you’re heading to Le Vene!
BUSES & TRANSPORT
If you need to move around Colle di Val d’Elsa or travel to nearby towns, you can use the local bus service.
You can check routes, stops and timetables here:
OFFICIAL CITY MAP
Want a complete overview of Colle di Val d’Elsa?
You can also consult the official city map of Colle di Val d’Elsa.
If you need to move around Colle di Val d’Elsa or travel to nearby towns, you can use the local bus service.
SWIMMING POOL
Angelo's House
Need a break between lessons, rehearsals and concerts? Altalena participants can use the swimming pool at Angelo's House during the designated opening hours.
The location is marked on the Altalena Google Map.
OPENING HOURS
09:00–13:00
15:00–19:00
POOL ACCESS
Guests staying at Angelo's House
Free access
Other Altalena participants
€3 per person, per day
Children under 13 must always be accompanied by an adult.
A FEW SIMPLE RULES
Please shower before entering the pool.
For everyone's safety and comfort:
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No running
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No pushing
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No diving
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No shouting
Please leave the pool area clean and tidy after use.
STAY CONNECTED
During the festival, the Altalena WhatsApp channel will be our main way to share important updates, last-minute changes and practical information.
Please make sure you join the channel and check it regularly during your stay.
Need help?
If you have a question or need help during the festival, the Altalena team is here.
EMERGENCY
For a medical emergency, accident, fire or any situation requiring immediate assistance:
112
European Emergency Number
For non-emergency situations related to Altalena, please contact a member of the festival staff first.
SEE YOU AROUND ALTALENA
Now you have everything you need.
Explore Colle, make music, meet people, take care of the places that welcome us, and enjoy these days together.
See you at Altalena.