South of Siena

<< Tuscany

The hilly and mountainous region south of Siena is dotted with several small beautiful towns and historic cities with many interesting landmarks. This area, which includes the hills of the Crete Senesi and Val d’Orcia, is also known for its gorgeous natural environment and for the production of wine.

Chiusdino

Chiusdino is a town located among the hills of the Province of Siena. A town of medieval origins, it features various historic attractions in its territory.

Abbey of San Galgano

The Abbey of San Galgano (Abbazia di San Galgano) is a ruined 13th-century church located near Chiusdino. The structure was already in decline a few decades after it was inaugurated, and it kept being despoiled until the bell tower and the roof collapsed in the 18th century. Now only some parts of the original structure are still standing, but the peculiar view of the partially collapsed church has turned the ruins into a toruist attraction.

Chapel of San Galgano a Montesiepi

The Chapel of San Galgano a Montesiepi (Cappella di San Galgano a Montesiepi) is a small Romanesque church located among the hills near Chiusdino, close to the Abbey of San Galgano. The cylindrical chapel was built in the 12th century on the place where Saint Galgano Guidotti lived as a hermit, and it features various frescoes. The chapel houses a medieval sword in the stone, supposedly placed here by the saint himself.

Asciano

Asciano is a small town located among the hills south of Siena. A village of ancient origins, it emerged during the Late Middle Ages and it features various historic attractions.

✪ Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore

The Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore (Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore) is a Benedictine monastery in the hills south of Asciano. Founded in 1313, soon it became one of the most powerful abbeys in the region. The complex features a large Gothic church adorned with Baroque decorations and various artworks, while its cloister houses a large cycle of Renaissance frescoes. The monastery also includes a rich library, a historic pharmacy, and a small museum of religious art.

Museum of Palazzo Corboli

The Museum of Palazzo Corboli (Museo di Palazzo Corboli) is an art and archaeology museum located in a historic palace in Asciano. The museum features various frescoed halls and numerous pieces of religious art, along with a collection of archaeological finds dating from the Etruscan and Roman age.

Montalcino

Montalcino is a small town located among the hills of Val d’Orcia, a valley south of Siena. The town emerged during the Middle Ages and features various historic attractions, but it is also well known for the production of wine.

✪ Abbey of Sant’Antimo

The Abbey of Sant’Antimo (Abbazia di Sant’Antimo) is an ancient Benedictine monastery located near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the municipality of Montalcino. The monastery was founded around the 8th century, according to tradition by Charlemagne, and soon became one of the most powerful abbeys in the region. However, its power declined after the area was conquered by Siena. The church was expanded in the 12th century, but some parts of the Carolingian structure are still present. The complex features various stone carvings, among various other medieval decorations and artworks.

Montalcino Fortress

The Montalcino Fortress (Fortezza di Montalcino) is an imposing 14th-century castle that dominates the old town of Montalcino. The fortress has a pentagonal plan and features some tall towers. After Siena was conquered by Florence in 1555, the government of the Republic of Siena moved to this fortress, resisting for four more years before surrendering. The castle now hosts a winery.

Civic and Diocesan Museum of Montalcino

The Civic and Diocesan Museum of Montalcino (Museo Civico e Diocesano di Montalcino) is an art museum located in a former monastery in Montalcino. Its collection includes various pieces of religious art mostly dating from the Late Middle Ages, as well as some other artworks and archaeological finds. Adjacent to the museum is the Church of Sant’Agostino, which hosts various medieval frescoes and decorated chapels.

Pienza

Pienza is a small town in Val d’Orcia, south of Siena. Once a tiny village called Corsignano, it was transformed in 1462 into an ideal Renaissance town by Pope Pius II, who was born here in 1405, and it was given the name “Pienza”, meaning “City of Pius”. The town was designed by architect Bernardo Rossellino, and it is a great example of Renaissance planned city. Since its construction, the Renaissance town has been left almost unchanged.

✪ Pienza Cathedral

The Pienza Cathedral (Duomo di Pienza) is the main church in the town, inaugurated in 1462. The Renaissance church features some Gothic elements and it houses various artworks. The cathedral faces Piazza Pio II, the central square of Pienza which also hosts various other historic buildings such as the Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo Piccolomini, and Palazzo Borgia.

Palazzo Piccolomini

Palazzo Piccolomini is a 15th-century building located next to the Pienza Cathedral and once serving as the residence of Pope Pius II in the town. The palace was designed by Bernardo Rossellino and it is regarded as one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture. The building is now a museum, hosting various decorated halls and a panoramic terrace with a view over the hills that surround the town.

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Pienza

The 15th-century Palazzo Borgia in Pienza houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Pienza (Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra di Pienza). This art museum houses a rich collection of interesting religious artworks dating between the 12th and 18th century, and originally located in some churches in and around the town.

Pieve of Santi Vito e Modesto a Corsignano

The Pieve of Santi Vito e Modesto a Corsignano is a Romanesque church located just outside Pienza. The church was built before the town was transformed during the Renaissance and it features various decorations and stone carvings dating from the Late Middle Ages.

Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a town located among the hills between Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana, in the Province of Siena. Founded by the Etruscans, Montepulciano was an important regional center throughout the Middle Ages, and it lived its golden age during the Renaissance, before being conquered by Florence. Montepulciano is now a tourist destination known for its historic buildings and for the production of wine.

Montepulciano Cathedral

The Montepulciano Cathedral (Duomo di Montepulciano) is the main church of Montepulciano, erected between the 16th and 17th century in Renaissance style. The church features a simple facade, and it hosts various artworks, including a triptych made in 1401.

Palazzo Comunale

Palazzo Comunale is the historic town hall of Montepulciano. The building was erected in Gothic style between the 14th and 15th century, and it features various decorations and a civic tower. The facade of the building was designed by Renaissance artist Michelozzo. The palace faces the central square of Montepulciano, Piazza Grande, which hosts various historic building including the cathedral of the town.

Civic Museum of Montepulciano

The Civic Museum of Montepulciano (Museo Civico di Montepulciano) is a rich art gallery hosted in a historic palace in Montepulciano. Its collection includes many works by artists from the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, including a painting attributed to Caravaggio. The museum also hosts some archaeological finds.

Church of Sant’Agostino

The Church of Sant’Agostino is a historic church in Montepulciano. Built in the 13th century, it was reworked during the Renaissance by Michelozzo, and it houses various artworks. The medieval Torre di Pulcinella, a tower topped by a statue of classical character Pulcinella, stands in front of the church.

Church of San Biagio

The Church of San Biagio is a Renaissance church built during the 16th century in an isolated position just outside Montepulciano. The monumental structure is adorned with various decorations, and it hosts frescoes, sculptures, and other artworks.

Chianciano Terme

Chianciano Terme is a small spa town located among the hills of the Province of Siena. Known for its hot springs since the time of the Etruscans and the Romans, the town developed its modern thermal baths in the 20th century.

Art Museum of Chianciano

The Art Museum of Chianciano (Museo d’Arte di Chianciano) is an art gallery in Chianciano Terme. Its collection includes numerous artworks and drawings spanning several centuries, with works by artists such as Dalì, Goya, Magritte, Munch, Rembrandt, Tiepolo, and Veronese. The museum also features sections dedicated to contemporary art and Asian art.

Archaeological Museum of Chianciano Terme

The Archaeological Museum of Chianciano Terme (Museo Archeologico di Chianciano Terme) is a rich museum dedicated to the Etruscan civilization. The museum features several archaeological finds from the Etruscan age, including a large collection of canopic jars, and the reconstruction of Etruscan tombs and buildings.

Sarteano

Sarteano is a town located in the Province of Siena. Inhabited since prehistoric times, numerous Etruscan tombs and ruins have been found around the town, which is also known for hosting various historic attractions.

Civic Archaeological Museum of Sarteano

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Sarteano (Museo Civico Archeologico di Sarteano) is an archaeological museum mostly focused on the Etruscan civilization. The museum houses various finds from the Etruscan age, unearthed in some ancient tombs around the town, such as the Pianacce Necropolis (Necropoli delle Pianacce). The museum also features objects from the Hellenistic and Roman period.

Chiusi

Chiusi is a town located in the Province of Siena, near the border with Umbria. In ancient times, it was one of the most powerful Etruscan cities, and was eventually conquered by the Romans. During the Middle Ages it was the seat of a Lombard duchy and was later contested between local powers for centuries, before being taken by Siena and then Florence. Chiusi is now a tourist destination thanks to its historic attractions.

✪ National Archaeological Museum of Chiusi

The National Archaeological Museum of Chiusi (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Chiusi) is a rich archaeological museum featuring a large collection of finds. The museum hosts several pieces from the Etruscan age, but also Greek, Roman, and Lombard artworks. Part of the museum are also some Etruscan tombs, such as the Tomba del Leone, the Tomba della Pellegrina, and the Tomba della Scimmia, dating between the 5th and 3th century BCE. All these tombs feature a series of ancient Etruscan frescoes and are among the numerous Etruscan tombs that have been found around Chiusi.

Co-Cathedral of San Secondiano

The Co-Cathedral of San Secondiano is the main religious site of Chiusi. The church was originally erected in the 6th century and later rebuilt in Romanesque style during the Late Middle Ages. However, its current appearance dates from the 18th and 19th century, when it underwent heavy restoration works. The church houses several artworks and richly decorated chapels. The bell tower was erected in the 16th century and it features the ruins of a Roman cistern.

Museum of the Cathedral and Labyrinth of Porsenna

The Museum of the Cathedral and Labyrinth of Porsenna (Museo della Cattedrale e Labirinto di Porsenna) is a museum of art and archaeology located next to the Co-Cathedral of San Secondiano in Chiusi. The museum houses a collection of religious artworks spanning several centuries, and various archaeological finds dating between the Etruscan era and the Early Middle Ages. The museum includes the Labyrinth of Porsenna, a series of tunnels that run under the town and date from the 6th and 5th century BCE. According to tradition, these tunnels were part of the tomb of Etruscan king Lars Porsenna, but more likely they were used for drainage of rain waters. The museum also includes two ancient catacombs near Chiusi, both dating from around the 3rd century. The Catacomb of Santa Mustiola is the larger one, and it is located north-east of Chiusi, while the smaller Catacomb of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria can be found just west of the town. Both tombs feature ancient decorations and inscriptions.

Radicofani

Radicofani is a small town located among the hills of Val d’Orcia in the Province of Siena. The town is known for its ancient castle.

Rocca of Radicofani

The Rocca of Radicofani is a medieval castle erected around the 10th century on top of a hill. Contested for a long time between local powers, the castle was eventually conquered by Florence and then restored in the 16th century. Later abandoned, the castle features imposing fortifications and now it hosts an archaeological museum.

Abbadia San Salvatore

Abbadia San Salvatore is a small town located on the eastern slopes of Monte Amiata in the Province of Siena. The town takes its name from a historic abbey and was once known for its mining industry and the extraction of cinnabar.

Abbey of San Salvatore

The Abbey of San Salvatore (Abbazia di San Salvatore) is a historic abbey located in Abbadia San Salvatore, traditionally founded in 743 by Lombard king Ratchis. The current structure dates from around the 11th century, when the abbey lived its golden age and was among the most important religious sites in the region. The abbey was built in Romanesque style and later restored and partially reworked. The complex houses various artworks and a museum of religious art.

Minerary Museum of Abbadia San Salvatore

The Minerary Museum of Abbadia San Salvatore (Museo Minerario di Abbadia San Salvatore) is a museum that displays the history of the minerary industry in and around the town. Hosted in the former buildings of the company that operated the local mines between 1897 and 1972, the museum features various exhibitions on the geology of Monte Amiata and the extraction process.