Tuscany Travel Guide | Chianciano Terme

Chianciano Terme

Chianciano Terme stands on a hilltop overlooking to the west the Chiana valley, between Chiusi and Montepulciano. Chianciano Vecchia, as is called the ancient town of Chianciano, is very different from the modern quarter that has grown all around the Terme. It is situated on a hill and shows part of its medieval town walls and its medieval urban plan. The gate of the town is at the end of Via Dante, where stands Porta Rivellini with its elegant Renaissance structure. Chianciano is one of the most important Italian spa centres. Its spas are famous from Etruscan time. Today, Chianciano Terme is considered among the finest health resorts in Europe.The Church of the Immacolata, restored in 1588 after the Florentine conquest of Siena. It once housed the paintings of Annunciation by Niccolò Betti, a Holy Family by Galgano Perpignani and a fresco of Madonna of the Peace attributed to Luca Signorelli, currently all in the museum of the Collegiata Church of San Giovanni Battista. This is a Romanesque-Gothic building with a notable portal. It houses a Holy Scene fresco (16th century), a 14th century crucifix and a wooden Dead Christ by Giuseppe Paleari (1783). The church of Madonna della Rosa takes its name ("Madonna of the Rose") by a fresco portraying the Virgin giving a Rose to the Child, work of a 15th century Sienese master. Also from a Sienese artist is the Madonna delle Carceri (14th century). The Etruscan Archeological Museum of Chianciano Terme The Delle Acque Civic Museum of Archaeology at Chianciano Terme is housed in an elegant late 19th-century building in via Dante. The museum has been arranged in three sections, each containing materials from the different historic phases of Chianciano's territory. The first section of the museum (ground floor) contains items from the graveyard at La Pedata, the most important and widespread necropolis of both territories of Chianciano and Chiusi. It is set on the northern slope of the Astrone valley, along an ancient route that, through the Orcia and the Ombrone valleys, linked the Etruscan town of Chiusi to the Tyrrhenian coast. Other graveyards are located at Morelli, Morellino and Le Piane. The first section also houses also burial furnishings from other tombs. The second section of the Museum, on the first floor, contains a reconstruction of two rooms of the late-Etruscan farmhouse (3th-2nd centuries B.C.).of Poggio Bacherina, a couple of miles out of Chianciano Terme. The third and last section of the Museum houses finds coming from the Roman monuments in Chianciano, among which there’s the large cistern known as Le Camerelle. City Map www.geoplan.it \| Map of Chianciano Terme url Read more \| Extract from the Guide to Chianciano Terme and its outskirts by Mrs. S. Orienti and G. Vagaggini Poppi		Cypress road near Villa La Foce
Between the medieval towns of Pienza, Chianciano and Montichiello, lies Villa La Foce and the equally idyllic located Castelluccio. Villa La Foce, a Tuscan villa created by the writer Iris Origo and her husband Antonio Origo. Villa La Foce is located in the crete senesi overlooking the Val d'Orcia. After having bought La Foce in 1924, Antonio and Iria Origo commissioned the English architect Cecil Pinsent, who had previously designed the gardens at Villa Medici in Fiesole, to restructure the main buildings and to create a large formal garden. The medieval castle of Castelluccio (literally little castle) lies on the summit of a hill on the La Foce estate.

Pinsent designed the structure of simple, elegant, box-edged beds and green enclosures that give shape to the Origos' shrubs, perennials and vines, and created a garden of soaring cypress walks, native cyclamen, lawns and wildflower meadows. Today the estate is run by the Origo daughters, Benedetta and Donata, and is open to the public every Wednesday afternoon. [read more] Each summer, the cultural association La Tartaruga organizes art shows at the medieval castle Castelluccio, which is part of the estate. The curator, Plinio de Martiis (known for his important gallery in Rome) has in recent years brought the work of renowned artists such as Kounellis and Manzoni to Castelluccio, as well as promoting young, less famous artists. The chamber music festival Incontri in Terra di Siena, was founded in 1989 by Benedetta Origo and her son, Antonio Lysy, in memory of Iris and Antonio Origo. The festival is held each year at the end of July / beginning of August. Villa La Foce is located in the Val d'Orcia on the other side of Monte Amiata, and less than an hours drive from Podere Santa Pia. Villa La Foce Estate \| La Foce - 61, Strada della Vittoria -53042 Chianciano Terme - Siena \| www.lafoce.com At the top of the ridge is the main entrance to the villa, still owned by the Origo family and since 1998 the seat of a foundation for the study of the landscape and environment of the Val d'Orcia. The gardens may be visited on Wednesdays (15.00-dusk; entrance fee, which is donated to charity). Ask at the farm office in the courtyard to the left of the house. They are usually at their best in May, June and September. Gardens in Tuscany \| Villa La Foce		The garden of Villa La Foce, and Monte Amiata in the background Castelluccio Castello
Villa Simoneschi, an ancient private villa dating back to around 1830, is situated in the immediate vicinity of the historical centre of Chianciano Terme. The three-storey building, entered through a monumental gateway on Via Dante, stands at the centre of a fine garden filled with flowers: most notably rose bushes, but also some quite rare plants. From the entrance, a Neoclassical chapel is seen to the right, with a huge Lebanon cedar towering beside it like some monumental belltower; on the opposite side is a stone fountain with spring water. A few steps lead down to the shadier, more private part of the park: a formal garden with tall trees. The forecourt to the south of the villa is dominated by a fine fountain, at the centre of a pool with an elegant lobe-shaped surround in an area paved with local stone, and with four unusually designed benches, also in stone, around the perimeter. At the end of the forecourt, towards Monte Cetona and the valley below, is an impressive panoramic terrace.
La Chiesa della Madonna della Rosa
Just at few metres from Porta del Sole, stands the temple dedicated to Madonna of Rose, the most beautiful church in Chianciano, designed in 1569 by Baldassarre Lanci, the architect of the Duke of Urbino. Inside the Chiesa della Madonna della Rosa, you can admire a wall painting representing Madonna of Rose, who was considered as the patron saint of Orvieto with at her sides St. John and St. Bartholomew, the patron saints of Chianciano. The pillar at the entrance represents a particular scene of rural life, witness to local farmers' financial support to the building of the church.

Walking and trekking in Tuscany \| Walking in the Val d'Orcia
Riserva Naturale di Pietraporciana
The Pietraporciana Nature Reservecovers the top, the northern side, and part of the southern side of the homonymous hillock (847 m), belonging to the ridge that, between Chianciano Terme and Sarteano, separates Val d’Orcia from Val di Chiana In the beech tree wood of Pietraporciana \| Departure in Sarteano (the road to Castiglioncello), arrival in Sarteano. In the Rocconi forest, which lies between the magical world of the Crete of the Val d’Orcia and the neatly organized farm land of the Val di Chiana, there is a stand of secular beech trees which is documented and marked by the Italian Botanical Society. This antique place protects beneath its rock walls, giant beech trees as well as other rare plants, flowers of every kind and lush moss that covers enormous boulders. Castiglione d'Orcia - Castiglione d'Orcia The itinerary starts on a downslope and ends uphill. From the hamlet of Castiglione d'Orcia we get to the bottom of the Orcia valley which is characterized by a wild environment where no means of transport are possible. It predominantly unfolds on dirt tracks. For the mountain bike enthusiasts it doesn't show any technical difficulties even though the downslope, specially in the first part, is very steep and the climbing back up is quite challenging. Vivo d'Orcia - Vivo d'Orcia From Vivo d'Orcia we start downhill toward the white-fir forest of Vivo d'Orcia, one of the last remaining in Tuscany of this kind. Follow the indication Contea del Vivo/Eremo and take the Via Amiata becomes Via dell'Eremo. At the end of the road we cross the bridge over the Vivo stream passing under a stone arch that leads to the Borgo dell'Eremo. Castelnuovo dell'Abate - Vivo d'Orcia This spectacular itinerary descends from the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo, surrounded by silence and Brunello vineyards, then climbs up the pristine slopes of Monte Amiata, an ancient extinct volcano. The trip ends up in Vivo d'Orcia, one of the most well-conserved and verdant localities in Tuscany, charged with energy from the volcano.		La Riserva Naturale di Pietraporciana

The Crete Senesi abound in Medieval hamlets, churches, castles and fortresses, as well as many farms that indicate the strong peasant traditions of this area. Podere Santa Pia is an enchanting property, situated in a fantastic panoramic position amidst the green and picturesque Tuscany countryside, close to the most famous cities of art and near the Brunello area, famous for its vineyards and the most prestigious wines.

Chianciano Terme borders the following municipalities: Chiusi, Montepulciano, Pienza, Sarteano.

Extract from the Guide to Chianciano Terme and its outskirts by Mrs. S. Orienti and G. Vagaggini Poppi

Chianciano Vecchia or Paese, as is called the ancient town of Chianciano. Its aspect is very different from the modern quarter that has grown all around the Terme. It is situated on a hill and shows part of its medieval town walls and its ancient urban plan. The gate of the town is at the end of Via Dante, where stands Porta Rivellini with its elegant Renaissance structure.

Soon after the arch stands the Church of the Immaculate Conception, that once had the title of St. Mary of the Star (1455) and the title of death (1580) because it was given to the Brotherhood of Death. Here in the past there was the church of Borgo alle Taverne (1317), a hospital and a tower. The tower had to be restored in 1576, but it ruined and a new Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Star was built in the same place where in 1789 a fresco representing the Virgin Mary of the Peace was set up. According to some documents, the Virgin Mary of the Peace is one of the patron saints of the town and the fresco is attributed to Pietro Perugino or Pietro of Cortona; others, however, attribute it to Signorelli.

At the end of Via Casini stands out the elegant and simple Bell Tower. Its structure is medieval, but it was adjusted in subsequent periods when a marble covering was added. On its façade you can admire the Medicis' coat of arms which was added when the domination of Florence get the definitive control of the town.

From the Bell Tower you get to Piazza Matteotti, where face, on both sides, two palaces dwelled by the elders of Chianciano, the Town Hall and in the middle a beautiful hexagonal marble fountain (18th century) placed on a hexagonal flight of steps. In the middle the column which supports the flat table where water springs out. On the left of Piazza Matteotti, you enter Manenti Castle, also called as the Monastery for its silence. According to a document of 1072, in those times the Castle was under the domination of Counts Manenti, masters of Chiusi, Sarteano and Chianciano, who linked this fief to Siena in 1229. After their domination, between 1264 and 1276, Chianciano is known to flourish again even in its urban plan and to become a free city. However, Orvieto did always contend it with Siena, but it was Florence who finally get it, like the whole Tuscany, after a destructive resistance in 1557.

Going towards Piazza Matteotti you get to Via Solferino and then to Piazzolina dei Soldati, where there is the Deanship's Palace with the Museum of Sacred Art. Palazzo De Vegni was built between the XVIII and XIX century and now is owned by the town. Inside, interesting exibitions and cultural events are prepared. Leonardo Massimiliano De Vegni was one of the most important persons in the XVIII century. He was a writer and an artist; he designed the decoration of the Church of Madonna of Rose. In front of Via Solferino there is a square where stands the Collegiate Church or Church of St. John the Baptist. Of the ancient XIII-century building remains only the wonderful Romanesque portal adorned by concentric arches. The nave is characterized by a big arch resting on projecting columns and by a trabeated colonnade near the transept.

Going through Via della Croce you reach the Church of Company or Oratory of the Brotherhood of Holy Rood. Inside you can admire an interesting XV-century fresco representing "The betrayal of Judas" and "The capture of Jesus Christ" and other paintings representing "Saints". Moving away from the church, you can lean out of the parapet to admire the beautiful panorama of the valley below, called as Valle delle Volpaie, where stands the temple of Madonna of Rose. Continue till you reach Porta del Sole, made of brick. It has two side-towers with a sort of stair-formed top and a half-hexagonal arch in the middle.

Just at few metres from Porta del Sole, stands the temple dedicated to Madonna of Rose, the most beautiful church in Chianciano, designed by Baldassarre Lanci, the architect of the Duke of Urbino, in 1569. Inside, you can admire a wall painting representing Madonna of Rose, who was considered as the patron saint of Orvieto with at her sides St. John and St. Bartholomew, the patron saints of Chianciano. The pillar at the entrance represents a particular scene of rural life, witness to local farmers' financial support to the building of the church.

One of the best places for slow traveling in southern Tuscany is Podere Santa Pia. Located on the outskirts of Castiglioncello Bandini, in a hilly and unspoilt land, Podere Santa Pia is an artistic property, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the splendor of the Maremma hills of southern Tuscany.

Holiday accomodation in southern Tuscany | Podere Santa Pia