our land - holiday in tuscany
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Our Land
FOIANO DELLA CHIANA: Foiano and the nearby village of Pozzo originated between the VI and IV centuries BC and show signs of the presence of Etruscan settlements which bear witness to a past rich in history and tradition. After a century of Aretine dominion, in 1336 the domain of Foiano, which had been under Siena, passed to the Florentine Republic which provided for the restoration of the already existing octagonal city walls. The town, which was contended for almost a century by Arezzo and Florence, drew up its first statute in 1387 becoming an autonomous commune. In 1436 under order from the Florentine Republic the nearby Pozzo was made part of the same commune despite continual uprisings amongst the inhabitants. New city walls were built in Foiano in 1476 with the aim of protecting the villages that had sprung up outside the castle walls. The 15th century churches of San Michele and San Francesco have many works by Andrea della Robbia and in the 18th century church of the Collegiata one can see the Coronation of the Virgin with Angels and Saints painted by Luca Signorelli in 1523. Foiano also has the oldest Carnival in Italy and every year old and young alike flock to see the parade of allegorical floats made out of papier maché. CORTONA: At 600 m. above sea level the old Etruscan town dominates the entire Valdichiana, from Arezzo to the shores of the nearby Lake Trasimeno. It was one of the 12 towns of the Etruscan Confederation and one can still admire imposing sections of the mammoth walls, only partly modified in medieval times. The town is all within the city walls that are of particular archaeological and architectural importance. With its steep streets, churches and convents Cortona reflects its ancient splendour jealously conserving countless art treasures of many different periods in its museums and churches. There are precious pieces from the Egyptian, Etruscan and Roman period in the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca, while masterpieces by Signorelli, Beato Angelico, Severini and other famous artists can be seen in the Museo Diocesano, in the medieval churches of San Francesco and San Domenico or the renaissance churches of Santa Maria Nuova and San Niccolò. MARCIANO DELLA CHIANA: The majestic tower stands tall against the clear blue sky, visible from all sides, pointing elegantly and powerfully upwards. It’s worth visiting Marciano just to see this extraordinarily well conserved tower .The houses and small gardens fan out below the tower and together with the little square with its well, the beautiful city gate with its clock tower, on which one can see the Medici coat of arms, form a small hamlet which exactly reproduces the topography of the castle over which Sienese and Florentines, Perugini and Aretini fought from Medieval times onwards. Nowadays this charming, friendly village with its small shops welcomes visitors offering genuine products from the surrounding countryside and its unbeatable Chianina beef. LUCIGNANO: This is one of the most interesting centres of Tuscany because of its original castle-like structure with an elliptic plan with the streets within the walls moving towards the centre in a series of concentric circles. Apart from a few exceptions the buildings built between the XIII and XVIII centuries are in excellent condition and give the town an air of nobility, accentuated by the solid structure of the Rocca (XV century), by the majestic provostry and by the gothic church of San Francesco. In the town hall, rich in frescoes of the Sienese and Aretine schools, there is a small museum notable for the precious works and objects housed there. The “Albero della Vita” (tree of life), an original reliquary and splendid example of late gothic Aretine goldsmithery is of particular importance. On the last two Sundays of May the traditional “Maggiolata Lucignanese” takes place. A parade of allegorical floats covered in colourful flowers draws a large number of visitors to this small village in the Valdichiana.
MONTE SAN SAVINO: Monte San Savino stands on the west side of the Valdichiana opposite Cortona, on a hill overlooking the valley of the River Esse. The old village in which many signs of Etruscan civilization were found during the digs carried out by the distinguished archaeologist G.F. Gamurrini at the end of the 19th century, became an important castle in Medieval times with imposing walls inside which the town developed. Monte San Savino had its greatest moment of splendour in the second half of the 15th century and in the 16th century. It was the birthplace of the great Renaissance sculptor Andrea Cantucci, known as Il Sansovino and of Pope Giulio III. There are many Medieval and Renaissance buildings amongst which the most important are the Church of San Giovanni Battista with the majestic portal by Sansovino; the gothic 14th century Church of S.Agostino with works by Vasari and other minor artists of the 15th century; The loggia of the Market, a beautiful construction facing the palace of the Del Monte family (now the Town Hall) built by Antonio da Sangallo and finally the Church of Santa Chiara with works by Sansovino and the Della Robbia school. AREZZO: It is one of the oldest cities in Tuscany and stands where the four valleys of the province meet: the Val di Chiana, Valdarno, Valtiberina and Casentino. Thanks to its geographical position it has been a point of encounter for different civilizations and cultures. The city is of Etruscan origin and was then a small Roman fortress, commerce flourished here in Medieval times and artistic production in the Renaissance period. The town conserves important examples from all these periods in its churches and monuments and in the objects housed in its museums. Amongst the most important works are the Romanesque Pieve with its tower with a hundred holes, the cathedral with its stained glass windows by Guglielmo di Marcillat, the basilica of San Francesco with its precious works by Piero della Francesca, the Gothic church of San Domenico with its crucifix by Cimabue. The splendid setting of Piazza Grande dominated by Vasari’s loggia hosts the “Saracen Joust” twice a year and the Antique Fair on the first weekend of every month which spreads through the nearby streets and where one can buy antique furniture and accessories. POPPI: Its history is linked to the family of the Guidi Counts and their Castle built in the 13th century by Arnolfo di Cambio. The staircase, the collection of coats of arms, the chapel with a fresco cycle by Taddeo Gaddi, one of Giotto’s disciples, the collection in the library donated by the Rilli-Orsini Counts to the Commune of Poppi are all of great interest. The hermitage of Camaldoli is immersed in a forest of secular fir trees and is one of the most important spiritual centres in Tuscany. It was founded by San Romualdo in 1012 and with its 20 cells is a place of contemplation and solitude. The church dedicated to San Salvatore is rich in Baroque decorations and in the chapel of Sant’Antonio Abate one can admire a glazed terracotta altar piece by Andrea della Robbia. The Monastery, Guest quarters and Church of Santi Donato and Ilariano are a few kilometres further down the valley. In the Campaldino plain below the famous battle between Florentine Guelfs and Aretine Ghibellines was fought in 1289. A young Dante Alighieri fought among the Florentine troops. BIBBIENA: It is now the most important centre of the Casentino. Originally it was an important Etruscan centre and then a Medieval fortress. One can still see the Tower of Tarlati and the Porta dei Fabbri (blacksmith’s gate) which were part of the castle. The town centre is a mosaic of noble palaces: Palazzo Mazzoleni; Palazzo Niccolini; Palazzo Dovizi commissioned by Cardinal Bernardo Dovizi who was born in Bibbiena and was the secretary of Cardinal Giovanni de’ Medici (the future Pope Leone X). One can admire beautiful examples of religious architecture in the Church of San Lorenzo which houses glazed terracotta works from the Della Robbia school, in the Rococo Oratory of San Francesco, in the Pieve of Sant’Ippolito once the Tarlati castle chapel and in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Sasso, one of the most important sacred Renaissance buildings in the Casentino. The Re-evocation of the Mea (last Sunday of carnival and Shrove Tuesday) is of interest. CHIUSI DELLA VERNA: The area of Chiusi della Verna is between the Arno and Tevere valleys in a strategic position between the Casentino and the Valtiberina. The Sanctuary of La Verna stands on a big and fascinating rocky promontory and is one of the most famous places of Franciscan devotion. A visit to the sanctuary is particularly fascinating and rendered even more so by the silvery beach woods in which it is enclosed and hidden. The small church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the first building that was built on the Sacred Mount, houses terracotta works by the Della Robbia school. In the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta one can see masterpieces by Andrea della Robbia: the Annunciation and the Incarnation, works in which art becomes a means of expression for the spirit. Other important Franciscan places are: the Sasso Spicco, where the Saint used to pray; the Corridor of the Chapel of the Stigmata built in the place where in 1224 San Francesco received this last sign from God. On summer evenings it is impossible not to be carried away by the sweet music of the International Festival of Organ Music that takes place in the Basilica of the Sanctuary. PRATOVECCHIO: The centre and surrounding area bear witness to the faith of its people in the two monasteries of Camaldolese and Domenican nuns and in the Pieve of San Pietro a Romena, one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in the Casentino, not far from the town. The Castle of Romena, a symbol of administrative power, was a fortress belonging to the Guidi Counts and is mentioned in Dante’s Hell canto XXX. Paolo di Dono, known as Paolo Uccello, a master of prospective was born here. Every two years the event known as “Forme di legno”(wooden shapes), takes place here, an event that combines the art, craft and culture linked to wood. In some of its shops one can find the famous “panno del casentino” woollen material that weavers have been producing for over five centuries using the typical green and orange colours. SANSEPOLCRO: The town of Sansepolcro which developed aroung the large Benedictine Abbey has conserved its Medieval lay out almost intact and over the centuries has been enriched by important Renaissance and Baroque buildings making it the most important centre of the Valtiberina. Piero della Francesca was born here and several of his masterpieces can be seen in the Museo Civico. Works like the Resurrection , a complex and symbolic work, the polyptych of the Misericordia, San Giuliano and San Ludovico all bear witness to the genius of this early Renaissance artist. The “Volto Santo”, a wooden crucifix of the Carolingian period in the Cathedral is noteworthy. The Mannerist Palazzo Laudi next to the Cathedral is now the Town Hall. One shouldn’t miss the Church of San Lorenzo with its painting of the Deposition by Rosso Fiorentino. Piazza Torre di Berta is at the heart of the city and on the second Sunday in September hosts the traditional Palio della Balestra, with costumes inspired by the paintings of Piero della Francesca. Every two years in September Sansepolcro becomes the city of lace with exhibitors from all over Italy and abroad. ANGHIARI: Splendid Medieval town on a hill between the river Sovara and the Tiber valley. Its name is linked to a famous battle (Battle of Anghiari) in 1440, fought on the plain of Anghiari and painted by Leonardo in the hall of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. The Borghetto, above the plain, was first of all a Medieval settlement surrounded by imposing 15th century walls with its medieval tower of the Campano and the Badia, an old stone church founded by the Camaldolese monks around the year 1000. Palazzo Taglieschi, the Museo Statale is in the centre of the town and houses important pieces and paintings (a polychrome wood Madonna by Jacopo della Quercia, terracotta from the Della Robbia school and a 16th century organ “organo positivo” that still works). In Spring the streets of the old town are animated with visitors who come to browse in the little shops and stalls set up for the Art and Craft Fair. (top) IL CHIANTI E LA VALLE DELL’ARNO CASTELFRANCO DI SOPRA: The village has its origins in the 13th century and was called “Terra Murata”. It was built by the Florentines to oppose Arezzo and its allies but there had already been settlements of various types there, both military and civilian. Important communication routes passed through the area first in Etruscan and then in Roman times. The walls form a quadrangle with four gates with towers, two of which remain, and in the centre one finds the main square and Palazzo del Municipio (Town Hall), built at the beginning of the 14th century. Near the village a short road leads to the Badia di San Salvatore a Soffena, made up of a church, convent and cloister, dating back to the 11th century when it was built on the ruins of a castle. Near the village one can also see the BALZE which offer fairy-tale like views with their steep pinnacles and pyramid shapes eroded by water and wind over the centuries. LORO CIUFFENNA: Old village built on a rocky ledge with several streams and rivers running through it , the Ciuffenna is its main river. Walking through the streets of the centre you can see how the village’s life has always been linked to this river. The main road passes over a bridge and there is also a mill with stone millstones for grinding different grains from the surrounding countryside. At the top of the village there is the parish church of Maria Assunta, mentioned and documented since the 13th century and enlarged in the 14th century. It incorporates one of the wall towers of the village. The lower part known as the “FONDACCIO” contains the oldest residential buildings connected by little streets, steps, little squares and covered passages giving the village a timeless atmosphere. Inside the village is the museum dedicated to Venturino Venturi which houses important works by the artist in an excellently restored building. The beautiful Pieve of Gropina is just outside the village, surrounded by a small cluster of houses. PIAN DI SCO’: Its name probably derives from an abbreviation of Resco (the river that flows through the village) and it has unusual origins. It emerged out of the union of several houses that sprang up around a series of mills set along the “milling ditch”, an artificial canal built to feed a large number of mills, some of which are still in use. The village became a community after Napoleonic administrative reordering in 1809 and was separated from Castelfranco and the Town Hall was temporarily housed in a villa in San Miniato a Scò. The village thus grew along the ditch and the main road linking the mills. The water ways and roads are extremely important for its origins together with the Pieve of Santa Maria built between the 10th and 11th centuries, under the bishop of Fiesole’s rule. BUCINE: Its name reveals its Etruscan-Roman origins but it became a place of strategic importance during the Middle Ages as a castle used to control the Val d’Ambra. It is worth stopping at the nearby Romanesque Pieve di Galatrone to see the font attributed to Luca della Robbia. Badia di San Pietro a Ruoti is one of the most important camaldolese abbeys in the Aretine area both for its artistic content and spirituality. The Middle Ages also re-emerge in the castles, such as the famous one in Cennina, with their characteristic use of materials (stone and brick) and design. In summer the courtyard of Cennina Castle becomes an open air theatre hosting concerts and important musical events. MONTEVARCHI: Montevarchi stands in the heart of a valley scored by the Arno of notable natural and historical interest; important communication routes also cross this area making it an excellent starting point for day trips to the other small and large historical towns and villages of the area. The centre still retains its medieval urban plan and gathers around the central square, piazza Varchi. Palazzo Pretorio and the 13th century Collegiata of San Lorenzo rebuilt after several centuries following a project by Massimiliano Soldani Benzi, stand on the square. In the ex-sacristy, now the Museum of Sacred Art, one can see the little temple attributed to Andrea della Robbia and the Consignment of the Reliquary of the Sacred Milk by Count Guerra, which both bear witness to the high artistry and workmanship involved in glazing terracotta carried out by the famous Florentine family. Montevarchi is a major centre for commerce in the valley with typical products of high quality, such as: shoes, clothing, flowers, wine and extra-virgin olive oil. SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO: The town of San Giovanni Valdarno is one of the major centres of the Valdarno that developed along the main roads between Arezzo and Florence. Masaccio the innovative Renaissance painter was born here on the 21st December 1401. One can visit his birth place in Corso Italia when exhibitions are on show. Piazza Masaccio is at the heart of the town with its Palazzo Pretorio designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (according to Vasari). The square is surrounded by noteworthy buildings: the 15th century Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Museum which houses a rich collection of paintings and a beautiful Annunciation by Beato Angelico; the 14th century church of San Lorenzo with 1400 frescoes by Giovanni di Ser Giovanni known as the “Scheggia”, Masaccio’s younger brother. The Pieve di San Giovanni is in piazza Cavour and dates back to the first half of the 14th century. The cinema festival Valdarno Cinema Fedic takes place every April and is of considerable cultural importance. (top) CHIUSI: Chiusi is a town rich in history and culture and an archaeological centre of international importance. It has umbro-etruscan origins and had a period of great expansion between the 7th and 5th centuries BC after which it came under Roman influence. It was the seat of the Longobard duchy in 765 but suffered a period of decadence when the area became marsh land causing the diffusion of malaria. It came under the sphere of influence of Orvieto and later Siena, then for a short period was an independent commune but was then sold back to Siena until finally in 1556 it became part of the Florentine duchy. Its notable importance as a tourist centre is linked to its rich patrimony amongst which the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) that exhibits 2500 pieces that are the fruit of systematic digs or that come from private collections and Etruscan tombs (the Pellegrina- Pilgrim woman; the Leone- Lion; the Scimmia – Monkey) scattered in the area. For those of you who are nature lovers we recommend a visit to Lake Chiusi, which is what remains of the swamps of the Valdichiana and is of notable interest for its flora and fauna. PIENZA: The small Sienese town is a rare example of renaissance urban planning actually completed. The centre of Pienza was completely transformed by Pope Pius II who planned to transform his native village into an ideal city. The architect Bernardo Rossellino was commissioned to build the Duomo, a papal palace and the town hall; the work was completed in three years (1459-1462). Defined over and over again as the “ideal city”, “the utopian city”, today it is a concrete manifestation of how in the Renaissance an attempt was made to create an “ideal” model of life and government on earth, elaborating the idea of a city that could give concrete answers to the desire to live and work together in peace. Today Pienza is part of an area known as the “Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park of the Val d’Orcia”, which aims to conserve the extraordinary artistic patrimony of the five communes that are part of the Park: Castiglion d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico d’Orcia. MONTALCINO: One of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany also due to the view from the majestic fortress. The area, which is part of the Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park of the Val d’Orcia, is covered in vineyards (from which high quality wines are produced), olive groves and woods. It was given city status and made into a diocese in 1462 by Pope Pius II Piccolomini and Renaissance Montalcino experienced historical moments of great tension due to the struggle between Florence and Siena over domination of the area. Walking through the town one can admire the numerous medieval buildings, starting with the town walls that still have their original gates and part of the towers, the town hall, the loggia of Piazza del Popolo, the neoclassical Cathedral, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso, the Church of Sant’Egidio and the beautiful 14th century churches of Sant’Agostino and San Francesco, with the attached convents that open onto beautiful cloisters. The Abbey of Sant’Antimo is only a short distance from Montalcino (9km) and is a marvellous Romanesque architectural complex that according to legend sprang up from an ancient votive chapel built by Charlemagne in 781.
MONTEPULCIANO: Montepulciano is set on top of a hill between the Val di Chiana and the Val d’Orcia, with beautiful views of the two valleys. Like many Sienese towns it seems to have Etruscan origins. Legend has it that King Porsenna founded it in 500 BC. The beautiful town is considered the pearl of the 16th century and is practically intact. The town is surrounded by walls aned fortifications designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio in 1500 for Cosimo I. The town centre develops along the main street (“il Corso”) that climbs up the hill to the central square, Piazza Grande, right at the top. Montepulciano is known principally for its imposing Renaissance buildings, for the elegant beauty of its churches and for its Vino Nobile, one of the most internationally appreciated Tuscan wines. Its thermal water is also Internationally renowned and has been cleverly re-directed into modern spas with areas equipped for treating chronic respiratory, hearing, urinary, muscular and articulation problems.
SIENA: Siena the origins of which are lost in the mists of time, is set on the crest of the hills dominating the ancient communication routes. It was an Etruscan town and a Roman colony and is the most harmonious of the Tuscan towns, its present form is almost identical to how it was in the 1300’s, the century during which its art and economy were on a par with Florence. Piazza del Campo, the heart of the city, is an extraordinary example of Medieval architecture with its characteristic shell shape and is surrounded by the most beautiful buildings of Siena which look onto the square and dominated by the beautiful Torre del Mangia. It is the venue of the famous Palio that for centuries has taken place on the 2nd July and 16th August every year. This town is particularly fascinating not only for its monuments and its famous works of art, but above all for the quality of life that it offers: the small squares, the steep streets, the old vegetable gardens, the slow and peaceful pace of life, strike even the most distracted visitor. Due to its great artistic riches and marvellous countryside, the province of Siena is one of the most beautiful in Italy. (top) GROSSETO : Fortified town between Rome and Pisa to which, in 1138 Innocenzo II transferred the Episcopal seat from the impoverished Rosselle. After being dominated by the Aldobrandeschi the town came under Sienese rule from 1336. Its economic and demographic situation were in critical condition due to environmental decay (Grossetto was very near the swamps of the Maremma), and to lack of communication routes. In 1559 it became part of the Florentine State becoming part of what was soon to be the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. However its critical state was not solved immediately. Things started to change between the 18th and 19th century with the success of land reclamation carried out by the Lorena family and continued later after the Unification of Italy. After that the town started to grow economically and demographically and in the second half of the 19th century urban activity, which had been at a standstill since the 14th century, started up again and the town saw a period of expansion and increased quality. New works enriched the centre and building also took place outside the Medici walls, allowing Grossetto to take on a leading role in the agricultural economy of Tuscany. SCANSANO : It is believed that a village existed where Scansano now stands even before the year 1000. The name “Scansano” derives from S. Ansano of the Anicia family, a Christian martyr of the 1st century. The oldest document which mentions Scansano dates back to 1188 and in 1274 it is mentioned in the act that divided property between the two branches of the Count Aldobrandeschi family. It is set on a hilly spur, a natural division between the land on either side. Scansano was fought over by the Aldobrandeschi and the Republic of Siena in a series of exhausting battles. From 1333 it was the seat of the “Estatatura”, the judicial and administration offices transferred from the malaria ridden plains of Grossetto to Scansano. The Estatatura was officially abolished in 1897 and after that date Scansano became one of the most important towns of the Maremma and noteable buildings were built around this period: the Hospital in 1862, the Castagnoli Theatre in 1892, the Primary School in 1896. The 20th century saw the increase of its cultural heritage and the progressive reorganization of its farming activities, especially in the field of olive growing, vineyards and zootechnics. It is well known for its wine Morellino di Scansano D.O.C. and its growing Cantina Cooperativa del Morellino di Scansano.
PITIGLIANO : The origins of this splendid town date back to prehistoric times: its numerous Etruscan tombs that have been discovered over the centuries and its beautiful 3rd century BC walls bear witness to the undoubtedly Etruscan origins of Pitigliano. With the appearance of the etruscans the village must have started to look like an urban settlement, even though it was still subject to the political and economic influence of the nearby Lucumonia di Vulci whose territory reached half way up the valley of the river Fiora. From the 8th century BC onwards the political life of this village was closely linked to Sovana, the principal seat of the Aldobrandeschi family. Its elevated strategic position contributed to giving Pitigliano ever increasing military importance; already in 1202 it was involved in the fighting between the Aldobrandeschi and the Republic of Siena. The name PITIGLIANO probably derives from Roman times and according to an ancient legend its name comes from two exiles, Petilio and Ciliano who after stealing Giove Statore’s gold crown from the Campidoglio in Rome, took refuge on a rock spur where the town now stands to escape from their pursuers. SATURNIA : The town of Saturnia is in the commune of Manciano the largest of the province of Grosseto and thus has a large variety of different landscapes. The Ancient Etruscan and Roman village, inhabited since prehistoric times, was destroyed by Silla in 82 BC. One can still make out the town walls built by the Sienese (1454-1464) along the edge of the plateau on which the town stands, even if only fragments remain; enclosed in them one can see polygonal Roman sections of wall. The Roman walls had four gates, the only surviving one is the Porta Romana through which a cobbled street passes (perhaps the ancient Via Clodia). Characterized by a rather tormented history it flourished under Aldobrandeschi rule. Today Saturnia is a small, peaceful tourist town that has exploited the proximity of the nearby spa to promote the town. The sulphurous water in the internationally renowned spa gushes out at 37.5 ° centigrade. MAGLIANO IN TOSCANA : An ancient town known in Roman times as Heba. The debate is still open as to its origins which some maintain to be Etruscan and other historians say that it was founded by the Romans. Whatever the truth is it gained importance when around the year 900 the Aldobrandeschi family of Sovana had town walls built which are still in good condition. The churches of San Martino and San Bruzio were built in the same period (1100-1200). About two centuries later, Magliano passed under Sienese rule and in this period the imposing towers were added to the walls. They were built in 1400 by an architect from Bibbiena. Finally in 1555 after Siena fell to the Spanish, the village was ceded to the Medici and administered as an estate of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Following the law that abolished all the Grand Duchy estates, the history of the village went hand in hand with that of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and later of Italy. PARCO NATURALE DELLA MAREMMA : The Natural Park of the Maremma, situated in the province of Grosseto in the southern part of Tuscany, takes up an area of coastland of about 9800 hectares from the town of Principina a Mare in the north to the promontory of Talamone in the south. Most of the park is made up of the Uccellina Hills (Monti dell’Uccellina), a chain of hills, that runs parallel to the coast, covered by thick scrub, culminating in the Poggio Lecci. The northern area of the Park is flat and made up of alluvial soil formed by the sediments from the River Ombrone. The coastline which is about 20km long and has a series of large sandy beaches from the Bocca d’Ombrone to Cala di Forno, where the hills of the Uccellina start to drop down towards the sea forming a cliff that runs all the way to the promontory of Talamone. The Park contains many different environments from cultivated fields and pasture, to Mediterranean scrub and rocky areas, from pine woods to sandy dunes. There are also different climactic conditions that are visible in the variety of the vegetation. (top)
This long varied coastline where Tuscany meets the Mediterranean has long sunny beaches washed by the clear blue waters of the Tirrenian Sea. Set between crags and sea rocky gorges surge upward from the tops of which it is possible to admire many wonderful vistas. Views not only over to one of the many exclusive resorts but also to the Islands of Elba and Giglio which together with their smaller cousins make up the beautiful Tuscan Archipelago. The surrounding countryside is divided from the coast by a cloak of dense woods where tall pines keep the hot summer sun at bay and fresh air, peace and tranquillity are the order of the day.
Nature reigns supreme in the surrounding countryside where for centuries man has almost religiously respected its power and where herds of powerful Maremma cattle graze under the watchful eye of cowboys mounted on sturdy local horses. These mounts breed wild in the area and groups of them can be seen playing and grazing in the many of the clearings amongst the woods on the plain.
The coastline with its pinewoods, the many thermal springs, slopes, hills and mountains, the fresh clean air, genuine local produce and a rich history evidenced by the many ruins and monuments around make the Maremma a fascinating, peaceful and much sought after vacation destination.
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VOLTERRA : Built on a hilly ridge, between the valleys of the Era and Cecina, and surrounded by a double set of town walls, Volterra is one of the most important centres in Tuscany, both because of the presence of monuments that attest to the civilizations that succeeded one another for over 30 centuries and because of the working of alabaster. Its artefacts are one of the most typical and traditional products of Italian craft exported today. History has continued to leave its mark in Volterra from Etruscan times to the 19th century, with artistic and monumental examples of great importance, that can be admired walking through the streets of the centre or visiting the three museums of the town: the Etruscan Museum, the Civic Art Gallery and the Museum of Sacred Art. Today Volterra is a city as yet uncontaminated by the heady rhythm of modern life and those who come to it for the first time have the impression of being in a special place where one breathes the air of ancient times in the narrow little streets of a medieval hamlet. It is an ideal destination for a stay in Tuscany from which one can explore one of the most beautiful areas egion. It is near the sea and the most important historic and artistic towns and cities. SAN GIMIGNANO : San Gimignano with its towers stands on a hill (334m), silhouetted against the sky, dominating the Val d’Elsa. In the Hellenistic period it was the seat of a small Etruscan village (3rd – 2nd century BC). Its history begins around the 10th century when it takes its name from the Bishop of Modena, San Gimignano, who apparently saved the village from barbaric hordes. It saw a period of enormous growth during the Middle Ages and thanks to the “via Francigena” (Franciscan way), which passed through it, became a trading point of primary importance. The pride of the families who became rich through trade led to the building of the 72 towers, (by law, however, none could be taller than the tower of the town hall known as the Rognosa). Today only 15 remain, whole or cut-off, but they are enough to give the town its unmistakable profile. The terrible outbreak of plague in 1348 and the subsequent depopulation threw San Gimignano into crisis. It only managed to pull itself out of the degradation and abandonment of the following centuries when its beauty, cultural importance and agricultural identity started to be rediscovered. The urban structure and the numerous civic and religious buildings, adorned with important works of art and almost intact, have enabled the town to conserve its medieval appearance. CERTALDO : A fascinating village in the hills immersed in the heart of the Chianti area, in the province of Florence. The old village, of Etruscan-Roman origin, stands where the Rivers Agliena and Elsa merge and still has its original medieval structure, characterized by the narrow little streets that wind between the imposing brick buildings. It had become the domain of the Alberti Counts but was conceded to the Republic of Florence in 1293 in exchange for land given to Federico il Barbarossa and in 1415 became the seat of the Vicariate. In the Medici period it was the most important political and judicial centre of the Valdelsa. Certaldo was the native town of Boccaccio, the writer whose most famous work is the Decameron written in 1351 but is also renowned for other famous figures such as Pace della Rena, Geri di Lazzzaro Becci and Niccolò Macchiavelli. The following are worth visiting: the Palazzo Pretorio, the old centre of power and local law with its hidden rooms, the “room of torment”, the panoramic tower; Boccaccio’s house with its specialized library which contains all the different editions and translations of the Decameron and relevant studies; the 13th century church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo which contains Boccaccio’s tomb stone and a 14th century fresco. (top) PERUGIA : Perugia dominates the Tiber valley from its position on a tall, rugged hill: the particular configuration of the land has created a great variety of urban situations giving the town its unique appearance. After the fall of the Roman Empire Perugia was destroyed by Totila in 547; it then falls under Byzantine domain; in the 11th century it becomes a powerful independent commune allied with the Papal State. The 14th century is marked by furious internal battles between the nobles and the people, and by the war against the Papacy that wants to gain control of the Umbrian towns. In 1540 Perugia is under the direct control of the Papal State and Paolo III commissions Antonio da Sangallo to design the Rocca Paolina as a symbol of Papal supremacy over the town. Papal dominion continues except for brief interludes during the French occupation and the Roman Republic, until the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. Today Perugia is a modern, cosmopolitan town known all over the world for its cultural events and its University for Foreign Students; it is proud of its historical traditions and the beautiful traces of the past and it invites visitors to explore all its little corners where past and present merge and create an unforgettable atmosphere. ASSISI : Assisi’s origins, like most other Umbrian towns, are uncertain. Originally inhabited by the Umbri it subsequently came under Etruscan and Roman influence. In about 545, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the city became a Goth settlement. Later it fell under Longobard rule. Around the year 1000 it became an independent commune and had a period of enormous expansion above all thanks to the monastic movements (in particular the Benedictines). San Francesco, who was born there in 1180, is its most famous citizen and from 1206 dedicated his life to God’s service, helping the poor and living in poverty himself. Francesco was proclaimed saint in 1228 just two years after his death, by Pope Gregorio IX. The town was first under the Empire and then the Papacy. Subsequently it was ruled by noble families such as that of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the Montefeltro family, Braccio Fortebraccio and Francesco Sforza, until the mid 16th century when Umbria was conquered by Pope Paolo III. Later in the 19th century the city became part of the emerging Italian nation together with other Umbrian towns. ORVIETO : A tourist coming to Orvieto by train or car can make out the town from quite a distance. A huge rock rises up between the fields and vineyards, with inaccessible walls that seem to enclose it like a fortress above the valley of the River Paglia. Because of its position, its Etruscan remains, the partly medieval appearance of its streets and above all its famous Duomo, a jewel of Gothic art, Orvieto is one of the most unusual and interesting towns in Italy. Visiting this town is like walking back through time because in it we can find traces of almost three millenniums of history. One can still see the signs of its glorious past in the monuments, churches and in particular in the precious Duomo, one of the most important and best conserved in Italy. Orvieto is also famous for its production of excellent wine, “Classico d’Orvieto”, for ceramics, craft and its traditional events such as the Palio dell’Oca, a game played in the principal square since the 15th century. The event involves the whole town and the Palio is contested by 40 riders divided between the different quarters and is exciting to see. GUBBIO : Gubbio, a very old town and important centre in Roman times, with origins at the height of the Umbrian civilization, is a thriving town set on a spur of the Apennines at an altitude of about 500m above sea level. Intact towers soar above the town as do the austere façades of the houses blackened over time, Gothic churches and palaces, symbols of the power of this medieval city-state. The superb urban complex made up of the Palazzo dei Consoli, the Piazza Pensile and the Palazzo Pretorio was built in the 14th century. The Duomo, Santa Maria Nuova, Sant’Agostino, the gothic church of San Francesco with its convent, San Giovanni, San Pietro and San Domenico are also of great interest. The famous celebration the “Festa dei Ceri” (15th May) combines century old sacred and profane history, exalting the values of life, in the procession of the dead Christ (Easter Friday), and in the “Palio della Balestra” (last Sunday of May). Gubbio is also renowned for its good food. Every restaurant in Gubbio offers traditional dishes and specialities. In autumn and winter white truffles from the area can be tasted on dishes that are simple but excellent and have an unmistakable aroma. TODI : Set on a hill at 400 metres above sea level, the town dominates the Tiber valley in an area bordering on ancient Etruscan territory of which it was a part. The town still retains a particular historical integrity; the different periods seem to merge with natural continuity. The surrounding countryside has remained much the same and unspoiled by urban expansion. In recent years building has taken place mostly in the small centres in the valley leaving the profile of the town intact, crowning the hill as it descends through woods and fields. Piazza del Popolo with its long shape, surrounded by the monumental public buildings and the Duomo, is the heart of the city. A visit to Todi cannot be considered complete without immersing yourself in the splendid countryside below. The view constitutes a tourist attraction in itself. The area around the centre was once dotted with castles that formed a particularly efficient and articulated defence system, the remains of which can still be seen hidden amongst the vegetation.
IL LAGO TRASIMENO : Lake Trasimeno is the longest lake in Italy and the fourth biggest. It has three islands, Isola Minore, Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese, connected to the main villages around the lake by a local ferry service. The Trasimeno area falls under Umbrian administration but culturally and geographically it is part of both Umbria and Tuscany. The border between the two regions remains mysteriously undefined, in the language, countryside, local food and traditions.
It is right in the centre of Italy at a point that is set next to the main communication routes that have linked Northern Europe to Rome since Antiquity. Many excursions can be organized from the lake. In a hundred kilometre radius one can see over a quarter of the world’s artistic heritage: Florence, Perugia, Siena, Arezzo, Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Spoleto, Chiusi, Cortona, Tarquinia. Most of the Italy’s Renaissance art and a large portion of its Antique and Medieval art are close by. In less than two hours by car one can be in the centre of Rome.
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ROME is the regional capital of Lazio. Everybody knows it: the pull of the Eternal City is great and irresistible. The capital of Christianity is the seat of Papacy and an incomparable housing of architectural and artistic masterpieces of the ancient world. Could you resist the charm of Roma? Hardly. Why not trying to spend a few days exploring Lazio?You would discover a region of great naturalistic and environmental fascination with an extraordinary variety of landscapes: wide beaches, large pine woods, mountains such as Terminillo (an excellent ski resort), gentle hills and vast plains. A region extremely rich in art monuments which recall, with a rare immediacy, its long and extraordinary history. Outside Roma, there are countless testimonies of the Roman world and of the following historical ages, present in all the other provinces of Lazio and in the regional cities: Rieti, Viterbo, Latina and Frosinone. Lazio, therefore, is not just Roma. Actually Roma is also Lazio. |
il Chianti e la Valle dell'Arno 
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