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HOTEL STELLA D'ORO Viale della Libertà, 428 | Tel. +39 0578 62031 | Fax +39 0578 55414 Chianciano Terme 53042 Siena, Toscana E-mail: info@stelladoro.it P.IVA 655750529 - Trasparenza >> Manager: GIUSEPPE CITRO | ||||||||||||||||||||
This spa town, which specialises in the treatment of liver disorders, is
among the most famous in Italy. The special properties of the waters of
Chianciano is not far from the spa centre with its hotels, shops, treatment
centres and elegant parks where the therapeutic waters emerge: "acqua
Sillene" is used for balnotherapy and mud-bath treatment; acqua
Sant'Elena" used for the treatment of the kidneys and urinary disorders.
Both the climate and the unspoilt green areas are excellentr, holidays here are
fulfilling and pleasant and dedicated to health and fitness. More than 2 million
people visit Chianciano every year. Cultural attractions include the Museo
Etrusco, soon to be opened, and the Museo della Collegiata. Also to be seen are
the collegiate church of S.Giovanni Battista, built in 1229 and restored in
1809, the church of the Compagnia (1517), the Torre dell'Orologio with Medici
crest and the church of Madonna della Rosa (1585) designed by B. Lanci.
On the eastern slopes of the mountain bearing the same name, Cetona has
retained its medieval structure, whith roads, alleys and stairways all leading
to the fortress which dominates it. The local economy is mainly agricultural,
but tourism as also been actively developed. Many famous people from the words
of economics, theatre, fashion and culture live here in their renovated country
homes and villas. Whitin only 5 km of the town can be found one of the oldest
settlements in central Italy, dating back 40.000 years, and today known as the
Parco archeologico naturalistico di Belverde. There are 25 prehistoric caves and
the largest of these Saint Francis prayed. The Museo Civico contains remains
from the bronze age collected from the area around the caves. In the next
village, piazze, the romanic Collegiate church contains frescos by Pinturicchio.
In Etruscan times, on the southern edge of the Valdichiana, stood the town of
Chamars, powerful enough, in that period, to defeat Rome. In the historical
centre, with its medieval architecture as well as styles of the granduchy,
remains of the Roman structure can still be seen which were built on top of yhe
pre-existing etruscan town. The Museo archeologico nazionale contains excellent
Etruscan finds and Greek ceramics from the contryside around Chiusi; the funeral
urns and sarcophagi are particularly interesting. It is possible to visit the
catacombs and Etruscan necropolises; the tomba del Leone (6th century b.C.) and
the tomba della Pellegrina (5th century b.C.) are open. Definitely worth
visiting are the Museo della Cattedrale and the "labirinto di
Porsenna", underground water passages built by the Etruscan and including a
large cistern which leads to the romanic cathedral bell tower. There are four
neighbouring localities: Macciano, Montallese, Montevenere and Querce al Pino.
Festivals: The festival of Santa Mustiola with its palio delle Torri and the
September wine festival.tranquillo specchio d'acqua
dov'è possibile fare pesca sportiva e bird watching.
This is the largest Comune in the Sienese Valdichiana and contains six other
villages: Abbadia di Montepulciano, Acquaviva, Gracciano, Montepulciano
Stazione, S.Albino and Valiano. The poet Agnolo Ambrogini (known as "il
Poliziano" from the Latin "mons Politianus") was born here. The
town is said to have been founded by the Etruscan king Porsenna and exhibits
impressive architecture, mainly but not only Renaissance. Michelozzo,
Baldassarre Peruzzi and Vignola all worked here, as did Antonio da Sangallo il
Vecchio who designed the temple of San Biagio. Apart from the wonders of the
historical centre of Montepulciano the tourist would do well to visit the spa
centre at S.Albino. The local economy is based on agriculture and the town is
famous for its Vino Nobile. In th summer the town hosts the "Cantiere
Internazionale d'arte" and in the mid-Augut holidays the "Bruscello",
a traditional show spoken in rhyme, is performed on the Cathedral steps. On
August 29 a wine barrel race, the "Bravìo", is run between the
different contrade, or districts, of the town and there is a procession in
13th-century dress.
The town stands on the top of a hill which overlooks the splendid Val d'Orcia.
Enea Silvio Piccolomini was born here in 1405 and when he became pope Pius II in
1458 he decided to transform his modest village into the perfect town, an
admirable example of the humanistic period, and entrusted the design to Bernardo
Rossellino. Piazza Pio II is intact, incorporanting the most rigorous of
Renaissance perspective, and containing the cathedral and Palazzo Piccolomini.
The town's main axis is corso Rossellino, lined with houses built by the
nobility in the 14th century. Pienza is a mainly agricultural centre,
particularly famous for its pecorino cheese. The traditional cheese show,
"fiera del cacio" takes place on the first Sunday in September. The
flower show "Pienza e i fiori" takes place in mid May. Also to be
visited is Monticchiello, made famous by its "Teatro povero", a new
play anacted each summer by the local inhabitants.
The main feature of this medieval town, which stands on the Sienese border
between the regions of Umbria and Lazio, is its wealth of hot spring water,
numbering as many as 42 springs. The waters here were already known in Roman
times (Oratius alludes to their therapeutic qualities). The main economic
activity is related to hot springwater tourism and to "agritourism"
which thrives thanks to the unspoilt woods and countryside. Today, a new
building stands next to the former spa centre where it is possible to have a
variety of mud and water treatments. In the near vicinity the swimming pool is
filled with hot spring water at 40°C. It is worth visiting the fairy-tale
castle of Fighine. Traditional festivals include: the "Sagra dei Pici"
- a homemade pasta speciality - in Celle sul Rigo, a village built on the site
of a former fortress. The festival is held on the last Sunday in May. In San
Casciano the "Sagra del Ciaffagnone" takes place on the first Sunday
in June. The other frazione of Palazzone is wellknows for its wine festival and
its strong Chianti Colli Senesi wine.
A centre of ancient origins with a rich variety of tourists attractions and a
particularly mild and pleasant climate which enhances the variety of springwater
related activities. the old town, which dates back to the Neolithic age, is
dominated by the Castle. Every year on August 15th the "Giostra del
Saracino" is contested, a challenge on horseback between the five contrade
or districts of the town and in which participants, using a lance, must catch a
ring worn by a Saracen - the eternal enemy. The contest is preceded by the
drawing of lots. Traditional dress is a feature of the event. Also worth a visit
is Castiglioncello del Trinoro, a typical medieval village with a wonderful view
of the valley below. Close to Sarteano, on the hill of Pietraporciana, a
protected beech-wood has proved to be of special interest to the Italian
botanical society. It is pleasant to eat out here in the picnic area provided.
Until 1864 the town was known as Asinalunga (long donkey) as is almost
certainly of Etruscan origin. Traditionally an agricultural centre, the town
today also has some industry: brickworks, pottery, furniture manifacture, light
engineering and glass. The comune includes the villages of Rigaiolo, Scrofiano,
Bettolle, Farnetella, Guazzino, and Rigomagno. Its numerous remains and finds
also make it attractive to tourists. In the oldest part of the town we can still
see the line of the medieval walls, of which some towers still remain. In the
collegiate church there is a "deposition" by Girolamo del Pacchia and
paintings by Benvenuto di Giovanni and Sodoma. Famous people born here include
Giuseppe Stocchi, great writer, historian and man of letters, the zoologist Ezio
Marchi (1869-1908), the musician Ciro Pinsuti (1828-1888), pupil of Rossini,
author of the novel "Il mercante di Venezia". In 1867, in palazzo
Agnolucci, Giuseppe Garibaldi was arrested by the army to prevent him from
marching on Rome.
Located in the centre of the Valdichiana, Torrita has transformed its
traditional agricultural economy into on of light industry and crafts. The
earliest historical records date back to 1037. The town subsequently became a
fortress defending the Republic of Siena along its southern borders. Remains of
the original walls include nine foundations and three doors. THe churches of
S.Flora and S.Lucilla contain frescos and other valuable artistic works from the
Sienese school. Here was born the famous highwayman Ghino di Tacco dei
Monaceschi Pecorai and the Franciscan monk Iacopo da Torrita the restorer of
mosaics. The donkey race "Palio dei Somari", takes place in March.
Apart from the town itself, composed of the historical centre and a newer
development, do not miss visiting Montefollonico, a village built around a
former medieval castle and having remained largely intact. The walks here are
particularly enjoable.
This former medieval hamlet, residence of the Cacciaconti family until the
1500s, stands on the top of a hill, deep in unspoilt countryside of woods,
vineyards and olive groves. A third of the village is occupied by the
Cacciaconti castle and its annexes including an impressive ornamental garden.
Here you can visit the church of SS. Pietro and Andrea which contains a fresco
by Sodoma. The mild climate, the relaxing countryside and the gastronomic
attractions (wine, oil, cheese, salami, honey and local "chianina"
beef) make the area a popular destination for agritourism. The town hall
buildings in Petroio house the "terracotta association" and the
terracotta museum is now being prepared. The pottery or "coccio",
produced by the local manufactures is famous throughout Italy. Castelmuzio
stands on a outcrop of tufa close to the monastery of S. Anna in Camprena which
contains remarkable frescos by Sodoma; the parish church of S.Stefano is also
nearby.