PIENZA En origen "Castello di Corsignano", Pienza toma el nombre actual en honor del Papa Pio II Piccolomini, que hizo que prospera la ciudad, en la segunda mitad del 400 la reestructuracion con la cual se intentaba llegar a la imagen utopica de una ciudad ideal. Todo el burgo es una pequeña joya para ver, pero en particular necesita fijar atencion en el Duomo, que recoge obras de Giovanni di Paolo, Matteo de Giovanni del Vecchietta, de Sano di Pietro; y un altar de marmol atribuido al Rossellino, el arquitecto que tenia el Papa Pio II, el cual encargo el rediseño de la ciudad. Al lado del Duomo se situa el "Museo Diocesano", donde es posible admirar obras de la escuela del Sodoma y de Sano di Pietro, tapices del 400 y del 500. A pocos metros esta el hermoso Palazzo Piccolomini, construido sobre diseño del Bronzino y del Beccafumi. Abajo del pueblo se desarrolla el paisaje del "Parco Artistico Naturale e Culturale della Val d'Orcia", con campos ondulados y las famosas rocas arcillosas de las montañas caracteristicas de esta parte. TOP SARTEANO 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. TOP SAN QUIRICO Originally an Etruscan town, it acquired importance thanks to the neighbouring Via Franchigena. Federico Barbarossa, in 1154, received the ambassador of Pope Adrian IV here and this event is recalled in the "Festa del Barbarossa", 3° Sunday of June. In 1167 it was seat of the Imperial Vicar. The Florence of Cosimo I de' Medici purchased it in 1559. The Collegiata of SS. Quirico and Giuditta is in the Romanesque style: it has three portals and one whit faces southern is attributed toGiovanni Pisano. Inside is found the polyptych of Sano di Pietro and a Chorus from 1432-1502. Palazzo Chigi is from the XVII century. The "Horti Leonini"(16 th century) are one of the first examplesof of Italia Garden style: from August to October there is an exhibition of sculpture "Forms in green". The Romanesque parish church of S. Maria Assunta was, perhaps, constructed on the remains of a pre- Cristian temple. The inside of the church of S. Francesco holds two wooden polychrome statues and a Robbia's Madonna. TOP RADICOFANI The town dominates the Val d'Orcia from a top an isolated rock, from which rise the ruins of an ancient castle. It was an important location along the border of the Roman state. The fortifications which Cosimo I ordered on account of the explosion of a powder magazine in 1735 have since been destroyed. Radicofani remains famous for the deeds of the bandit Ghino di Tacco who lived here for many years. Works in terracotta by Luca della Robbia are kept within the church of S. Pietro. The church of S. Agata in the gothic-Sienese style. The evocative Edificio della Posta from l6th century with its facade and double “loggia” is found on Via Francigena. Many illustrious men have stayed here, among them Chateaubriand, Dickens and Montaigne, this last being particularyly passionate about the Italian cousin and appreciative of the use of olive oil in the preparation of certain dishes. In his writing recalled the cordiality and hospitality of the Tuscans. TOP MONTEPULCIANO Es una esplendida ciudad, que por sus vestigios artisticos y arquitectonicos es llamada la "Perla del 500", conserva intacta su belleza. Subiendo por los empinados bosques, el viajero descubre hermosos palacios y iglesas donde los mas renombrados arquitectos del Renacimiento trasmiten su arte incomparable. Es imprescindible ver la Piazza Grande, con el Duomo de fachada incompleta y el Palazzo Comunale; todo entorno a edificios renacentistas. El valle de abajo de la ciudad es un paisaje inolvidable, resalta la elegancia del Tempio di San Biagio. Montepulciano es tambien un centro de viva actividad cultural: entre las manifestaciones mas importantes el "Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte" y la representacion popular del "Bruscello". A la economia agricola, siempre importantisima, se unen otros interes importantes en el turismo como las Termas de Montepulciano, en localidad S.Albino, donde se disfruta de las propiedades curativas del agua y el fango. TOP MONTICCHIELLO Los origenes del burgo se pierden en el tiempo: el primer documento oficial aparece sobre el 973: el marques Lamberto Aldobrandeschi lo da en empeño a la Badia Amiatina, por una cuantiosa suma. En los años sucesivos Monticchiello pertenecera a la iglesia y en particular a los caballeros Teutonici (hasta el 1230) que siendo una orden habituado a combatir resultaba adacto a administrar un territorio de frontera. El primer documento relativo al libre comune de Monticchiello data del 1243. Desde este momento, por otros tres siglos, el castillo permanece fiel a Siena hasta las capitulaciones del 1559 con la guerra franco-española, entrando a formar parte del estado de Siena, del Granducato de Toscana. La ciudad, durante el dominio español, pierde importancia y sus fortalezas vienen abandonadas y desmanteladas. En el 1777 el Comune de Monticchiello adapta las reformas civiles y administrativas del Granduca Leopoldo y bajo la justicia del Comune di Pienza. El Teatro povero de Monticchiello, nace en el 1967, realiza una experiencia de vida y cultura particularmente interesante. Los habitantes, desde finales de julio y casi todo el mes de agosto realizan replicas cuotidianas en la plaza del pueblo en un autodrama escrito, directo y completamente escenificado por ellos, el mismo personal crea la musica y las escenas. En los ultimos años las representaciones, "recitadas" en un tipico dialecto del Val'Orcia son divididas en dos partes, la primera referente a experiencias del pasado en la vida campesina de la primera mitad de este siglo y la segunda temas y argumentos actuales. La experiencia teatral de la gente de Monticchiello de "experimento popular" se ha convertido en un ejemplo significativo de como hacer teatro en Italia, con juicios halagüeños de publico y de critica. TOP MONTALCINO Without doubt, Montalcino lives a life of many souls. Montalcino as the birthplace of Brunello wine, whic someone once defined as the best and most renowned wine in Italy. From the height of its 564 m. the ancient town dominates the surrounding countryside, clinging to the slopes of a hill crowned by the imposing 14th-century fortress. In the labyrinth of little streets, amongst artisans'shops, small cafès and places selling typical local produce ( besides the wine, their honey and locally-made biscuits called "dead bones" are also well-known) the sights worth seeing are the fine Town Hall, the Bishp's Palace ( housing the United Civic, Diocesan and Archaeological Museums, with works by important 13th-16th century Sienese artists, such as Bartolo di Fredi, Il Sodoma, Bartolomeo Neroni), the antique Crucifix of Saint Antimus dating back to the mid-12th century, and the churches of Saint Augustine, Saint Giles and Saint Francis, all built between the 13th and 14th centuries, as well as the Sanctuary of our Lady of Succour. But it is just a little way out of town, near Castelnuovo dell'Abate in the Starcia valley that thhe heart of Montalcino spirituality is to be found: the Romanesque abbey of St.Antimus, a striking little temple enveloped in an almost magical atmosphere, founded by Charlemagne in 781. Finally, there are several castles on Montalcino land: the one worthy of mention is Poggio alle Mura, which has Longobard origins. TOP CHIANCIANO TERME 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. TOP CETONA 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. TOP SAN CASCIANO dei BAGNI 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. TOP MONTEFOLLONICO Montefollonico (576m above sea level) is a small medieval village whose raison d'être is found in the past rivalries between the republics of Siena and Florence; in fact the village was born as a Sienese fortress, against the "Florentine" Montepulciano. The first evidence of the area being inhabited dates as far back the Neanderthal man (approx. 60,000 years ago) with the Lithic tools found in the area of "Il Tondo" (now the public garden). In the following centuries we have accounts of a territorial dispute in the year 715 for the ownership of the church Pieve di San Valentino. The history of the village as such began in the XIIIth century with the foundation of the church Pieve di S. Leonardo by the Cistercian monks from the monastery nearby, who by dedicating themselves to fulling wool gave the village its name Mons a Fullonica. After various events Montefollonico was incorporated into the Tuscan Grand Duchy in 1555. TOP