LIVE YOUR HOLIDAY in TUSCANY
The villa is in the heart of Tuscany in a territory rich in history, art, and traditions. You can organize excursions to the most renowned art centres in the world or wander through the small medieval towns of the less known yet more authentic Tuscany… the choice is yours!
SIENA
Siena, extraordinarily intact within its walls, represents a living model of a medieval city. It stands on three hills on which roads and alleys branch off to form an urban geography divided into seventeen contrade (districts), the same ones that, in turn, compete in the Palio, epic horse race of medieval origin.
Distance: 35 km via Siena-Bettolle expressway
MUST-SEE PLACES
Piazza del Campo
Simply called the Campo, heart of the city, has been defined as the most beautiful square in the world.
In the shape of a mantle (symbol of the Virgin), it is surrounded by spectacular facades of medieval palaces, among which stand out the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia.
In the Palazzo Pubblico, of Gothic inspiration, you can admire the Maestà and Guidoriccio da Fogliano, paintings of the famous fourteenth-century artist Simone Martini.
In the Sala della Pace you can admire the cycle of Buon Governo, famous artwork by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, representation of the 14th-century Siena.
Next to the Palazzo Pubblico stands the Torre del Mangia, which offers a unique view of Siena and the surrounding countryside.
Duomo
Of Gothic Romanesque architecture, it externally presents a richly decorated facade and numerous works of art such as Bernini’s marble sculptures.
AREZZO
Arezzo, about 30 km away from Lucignano, boasts Etruscan-Roman origins and precious examples of medieval art.
It was during the communal era that the city grew and organized, and important symbols of the city were built, such as the Pieve di Santa Maria, characterized by a facade with loggias and bell tower with mullioned windows.
By walking through the city you can see other examples of medieval art, such as the church of San Francesco, where the Leggenda della Vera Croce (Legend of the True Cross) is preserved, fresco by Piero della Francesca, and San Domenico, overlooking the square of the same name and preserving the magnificent crucifix, young Cimabue’s masterpiece.
In the upper part of the city it is worth looking out on the spectacular Piazza Grande which, irregularly shaped, is surrounded by buildings from different eras, which summarize the salient historical phases of the city.
It should be noted that every 1st Sunday of the month in the Piazza and in the surrounding streets there is one of the most important antique fairs in Italy.
Distance: about 30 km – via expressway
SAN GIMIGNANO
It is called the city of the beautiful towers because of the large number of towers that stand out among the roofs of this medieval town.
San Gimignano rises on the ridges of a hill of the Valdelsa in a splendid natural scenery full of olive trees and vines. The different height of the towers was a symbol of power of the various noble families.
On the way to San Gimignano it is worth stopping at Monteriggioni, an ancient Sienese military outpost.
Distance: 70 km
PIENZA
In a dominant position on a hill of the Val d’Orcia, the birthplace of Pope Pius II, it is a precious example of a Renaissance city. This illustrious ancestor decided to transform Corsignano, the ancient native village, in an ideal city according to the urban utopia of the Renaissance period, of which it is the only true realization. The ancient Corsignano was renamed Pienza, i.e. city of Pius.
From its walls you can admire the breath-taking panorama of the Crete Senesi, and in the distance, of Mount Amiata.
Nearby there is the ancient spa town of Bagno Vignoni, which is worth a visit.
Distance: 25 km
CORTONA
On a hill overlooking the Valdichiana rises Cortona, one of the most important Italian art sites, which can boast Etruscan, Medieval, and Renaissance memories in its buildings.
Cortona was the stage for the ascent of Beato Angelico, Luca Signorelli, and Pietro da Cortona.
Visiting the Etruscan museum, which houses artefacts found in the area, is a must.
Distance: 20 km
LUCIGNANO
Lucignano has an unusual, compact, and elliptical shape within whose walls the streets develop concentrically, giving the curious impression of a pleasant labyrinth.
In reality, this particular urban shape derives from the original Roman castrum.
It boasts artworks of extraordinary value and interest, preserved in the Museo Comunale (the Tree of Life, an example of fourteenth-century goldsmithing) and in San Francesco.
Distance: 3 km
MONTE SAN SAVINO
Perhaps of Roman origin, it was the birthplace of Sansovino, architect and sculptor.
The Renaissance Palazzo Comunale is to be admired, completed by a courtyard with three arched loggias, a beautiful hanging garden, and the Palazzo Pretorio on whose facade are the coats of arms of the Florentine Podestà.
Distance: 10 km
MONTEPULCIANO
Medieval town of elongated shape, it is surrounded by walls and set on a hill that dominates the Valdichiana and Val d’Orcia with its 605 meters of altitude.
In addition to the beautiful architecture (Piazza Grande, Via del Corso, Basilica di San Biagio), what strikes the eye of tourists is the panorama, which extends to Umbria and Lake Trasimeno.
With a small detour (10 Km), you can visit the characteristic village of Montefollonico.
Distance: 20 km
FIRENZE
Firenze, with the highest concentration of artistic treasures in the world, is the cradle of art par excellence.
The greatest Renaissance artists have left precious examples of their art in this splendid city.
Firenze is the very embodiment of the Renaissance, as evidenced by the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo, built on Brunelleschi’s project.
In the same Piazza del Duomo are also Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, whose interior is decorated with beautiful mosaics.
Florentine art is not just Renaissance; even when Firenze was a free municipality and then a Republic, art occupied a prominent place in the city life, as evidenced by the numerous Romanesque-Gothic buildings: Palazzo Vecchio, Orsanmichele, and the splendid San Miniato al Monte, which dominates the city.
Another of the factors that make Firenze an authentic universal treasure is the wealth of art collections, from the Uffizi to the Bargello, from the Pitti Gallery to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
Nearby, it is worth visiting Fiesole, of ancient Etruscan origins, from whose terrace you can enjoy a breath-taking view of the underlying city of Firenze.
Distance : 90 km – via autostrada A1