Historical Itineraries

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The  Francigena road:
from Pienza to mount Amiata

The ancient Longobards, when hunting, used to go up the medieval Francigena Road, and they would probably stop for a moment to admire the impresive dimensions of the Mount Amiata. The famous tuscan mountain is situated between Florence and Rome, between Siena and Grosseto, near the Chianciano and Saturnia Spas and in the vicinity of the archeological areas of Sovana, Montalcino and Pienza.
No other road has been trodden on boots, clogs and wheels for so many centuries as the Cassia Road, later called the Francigena Road and then the State Road n.2.
This ancient road is also famous for sporting events that take place there: the bicycle race “ Giro d’Italia” and the car race “Mille Miglia”.
Near the village of Radicofani, guarded by the castle to the east and the volcanic mountain on the west it is exciting to go up and down the slopes of mountain on horse-back or by mountain bike.
We shouldn’t forget that this road is also used by animals, especially the herds of sheep moving toward the richer and greener pastures of Maremma.

Itinerary of the Crete Senesi:
From the Montaperti Plain to the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey

The Montaperti Plain, situated south of Siena, on the road which leads to the Chiana Valley, near the crossroads for Asciano and Montaperti, is the perfect place for everyone who admires photography, vivid colours and contrasts of the landscape, with endless horizons and brick cottages, and for all those who are fascinated by ancient, modern., religious and secular art, Etruscan, Roman and Medieval remains, memories of great battles and monastic life.
We are in the vicinity of the Arbia river where in 1260 took place a famous battle between the Sienese and the Florentines. There is a marvalleous landscape, a true world of artists; this is the heart of the photographic park of the Crete Senesi.
In Asciano you can visit the local museums (Museo Etrusco, Museo di Arte Sacra); Proceeding to Trequanda and Asciana you encounter Montisi and San Giovanni d’Asso, the land of the white truffles. You can go on to Chiusure and visit the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore with its famous and ancient library.

The historical Chianti

This itinerary is aimed at discovering the Historical Chianti. From Panzano you arrive in Castellina in Chianti driving through the Statale Chiantigiana Road. Of particular interest is the medieval rock. Radda can be reached by the State Road 429 and runs high up among the valleys of Pesa and Arbia.
Near Radda, on the slopes of the Monte Queciabella forest you can visit the Castle of Volpaia and the twelfth century romanesque Pieve di Santa Maria Novella. About 10 Km separate Radda from the splendid Vallombrosian Abbey of Coltibuono, surrounded by coniferous woods.
From Coltibuono you arrive in Gaiole in Chianti. You should visit the Castle of Meleto, the Castle of Barbischio, the Pieve of Santa Maria a Spaltenna, the Pieve of San Polo in Rosso inside a medieval fortress. From Gaiole there is an excursion to Monte Grossi, where remains of an ancient feudal rock can be found on its peak.Here, in silence, interupted only by the ringing bells of the cows out to pasture, you wait for the sunset and deeply breathe in all of Chianti’s atmosphere: a unique, unforgettable atmosphere.