Elsa (river)

The Elsa (Italian pronunciation: [ˈelsa]) is a river in the Italian region of Tuscany. It is 63 km (39 mi) long. It flows northward to empty into the left bank of the Arno. From its source at Molli, Sovicille, the flow of the river is low until its reaches its major tributaries at Le Vene di Onci and Le Caldane, in Colle di Val d'Elsa. The mouth of the river divides the frazione Marcignana, of Empoli and Isola, of San Miniato. The basin of the Elsa has been continuously inhabited since at least the time of the Etruscan civilization. The Elsa basin is located between Montagnola Senese and the rolling hills of Chianti, roughly corresponding to the eponymous valley, Valdelsa. Catchments are predominantly fan shaped. It flows through several municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Florence and the province of Siena. The Elsa is referenced in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy.