SURROUNDINGS

CHIUSI
To speak of Chiusi is to speak of the Etruscan civilisation, which reached its greatest splendour here. And Chiusi is home to one of Italy’s most important national archaeological museums. The artefacts on display here are the fruits of archaeological digs conducted both in the town and in the neighbouring villages, a clear sign that Chiusi was an Etruscan centre of great importance. Surrounded by imposing walls, the old town offers numerous sightseeing attractions, such as the so-called Labyrinth of Porsenna, a system of tunnels leading to a Roman cistern and from there to the top of the Cathedral bell tower.

CHIANCIANO TERME
Chianciano Terme is synonymous with the term SPA. And indeed, it is one of the most famous spa towns in Italy. This has been the case since ancient times, considering that extremely significant Etruscan artefacts of the celebration of water by the Etruscans have come to light near two springs (Sillene and Fucoli). Numerous archaeological digs have unearthed an infinite number of artefacts that are now on display in the Civic Archaeological Museum, now famous among scholars and enthusiasts for the quality and quantity of its exhibits and for the modernity of its exhibition criteria. Speaking of spas, in recent years Chianciano has been enriched by the opening of the Sensory Salon, where it is possible to independently enjoy no fewer than 20 different naturopathy-based treatments, as well as the beautiful and evocative Theia Pools, where visitors can bathe outdoors, in thermal water, even in the middle of winter.

PIENZA

Pienza, as we see it today, is the realisation of a dream of an enlightened Pope, Pius II Piccolomini, who wanted to transform his native village of Corsignano into a town conceived in keeping with the Renaissance standards of the ideal town. To this end, in about 1459, he engaged Bernardo Rossellino, a veritable archi-star of the time, and set him to work on the construction of the bright and elegant Duomo and the Pope’s palace, completed in just a few years, with a hanging garden that opens onto the Val d’Orcia below, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a souvenir of Pienza, we recommend the purchase of the famous Pecorino cheese, which is on sale in the many shops lining the main street.

CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO
The town stands on a promontory which, in primeval times, was the fourth island of Lake Trasimeno (the others being Minore, Maggiore and Polvese). Rather than a lake, Lake Trasimeno is a sheet of water that occupies the entire horizon; in fact, despite its considerable size, it is only six metres deep at its deepest point. The historical old town is characterised by beautiful narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants, with the ancient castle at the far end. From here, a long walkway illuminated by the light from the embrasures leads to the 16th-century town hall, built over a pre-existing building by Ascanio della Corgna, Marquis of Castiglione del Lago. At Christmas time, Castiglione del Lago attracts thousands of tourists who come to admire the world’s largest floating Christmas tree.

TORRITA DI SIENA
The old town stands on a hill and is encircled by the remains of medieval walls. With the arrangement of its main buildings, the square summarises the three powers: the military (the tower), the civil (palazzo comunale) and the religious (the church of Saints Flora and Lucia); inside the latter are paintings by Benvenuto di Giovanni and Bartolo di Fredi. The adjoining Teatro degli Oscuri was built in the 18^th century. In addition to its many artistic and cultural attractions, Torrita is a centre of excellence for the production and sale of fine meats (such as the famous “Chianina”), oil and cured meats. Interesting fact: Ghino di Tacco, a famous medieval brigand-gentleman who continues to divide the opinions of modern historians to this day, was born just a few kilometres away on the Fratta farm. 

MONTEFOLLONICO

This is a tiny, beautifully maintained medieval village that sits on a spur overlooking Montepulciano, towering over its main town, Torrita di Siena. It is also known as “the village of Vin Santo” because, for many years, the highly prized wine has been celebrated here during three days of appointments, tastings and cultural events. Its name originates from the fact that, in the 13^th century, some Cistercian monks devoted their energies to fulling cloth (the Italian for fulling being follatura) near the little village.

CORTONA

Cortona has a truly fascinating historical old town centre and, from the top of the hill on which it stands, offers a privileged, almost aerial view of the Val di Chiana. Cortona is also of Etruscan origin and this is very evident from the imposing ancient walls, barely altered by the medieval walls in some places, and the narrow and sometimes steep inner alleyways, which give it a severe but elegant appearance. 
After exploring the village, with its many works of art in the diocesan museum, we recommend a visit to the Convent of the Celle, founded by St Francis and situated a few kilometres from the centre, in a very green valley. A word of advice: it is well worth a visit, because it is one of the most evocative places in the entire area.

SARTEANO
It can be seen from a considerable distance because of its imposing 10^th-century castle, where an interesting theatre season is held in summer. There are civil and religious buildings of particular interest also in Sarteano. This small town, which dominates the southern part of the Val di Chiana Senese from above, was also a very important Etruscan settlement. Not far from the centre, in fact, in the locality of Pianacce, an important necropolis has been uncovered, revealing the “Tomb of the Infernal Quadriga”, now internationally famous for a fresco with disturbing connotations.
Every year, on the 15^th of August, the Giostra del Saracino (Joust of the Saracen), a historical sporting contest on horseback which is among the oldest in Italy, is held in the square.

CETONA

Cetona is a pure Tuscan village, its features drawn in stone and terracotta and standing out against the green of Monte Cetona, which acts as a backdrop to the village and seems to protect its back. The square, which is truly remarkable in size in relation to the village, is very striking. The 40,000-year-old prehistoric settlement of Belvedere is definitely worth a visit. The Civic Museum for the Prehistory of Monte Cetona is interesting, with exhibits ranging from the Palaeolithic period to the end of the Bronze Age. Another interesting place to visit is the Archeodrome, where a prehistoric village has been faithfully reconstructed. Thanks to its unspoilt beauty and tranquillity, as well as the natural beauty that surrounds it, Cetona has also been chosen as the residence of well-known personalities from the worlds of culture, journalism and film.