The wide valley of the river Chiana between the provinces of Arezzo and Siena, once was a land of the Etruscans and saw flourish several settlements that have evolved into some of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany.
Let’s see which are the 10 towns to see in Val di Chiana we’ve chosen for you!
Castiglion Fiorentino
Castiglion Fiorentino is located on the eastern slope of the Val di Chiana in province of Arezzo. The view from the Logge del Vasari in Piazza del Municipio and the museums in the area of the Castle are the main attractions in the city centre of Castiglion Fiorentino.
Cortona
Cortona is characterized by its beautiful central squares, by its walls an city gates telling the story of the city through the ages. Don’t miss to visit to the MAEC – Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della città di Cortona collecting fundamental archaeological findings such as the Tabula Cortonensis and many art-works from various periods.
Monte San Savino
Famous throughout Italy for its outstanding porchetta, Monte San Savino is characterized by an union between medieval buildings as the Cassero and elegant renaissance structures as the Loggia dei Mercanti and the Palazzo comunale.
Lucignano
Lucignano is a small village that has perfectly preserved its oval shape, at the center of which there are buildings that symbolize the temporal power and spiritual worlds: the Collegiata di San Michele Arcangelo and the Palazzo comunale. Inside the Palazzo Comunale, don’t miss the Museo Comunale and the incredible “Albero della Vita“.
Chiusi
If you say Chiusi, you say Etruscans. Here, everything talk about this ancient and mysterious population. It couldn’t be different, Chiusi was the homeland of the legendary etruscan king Porsenna, after all. Visiting the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Chiusi, the Labirinto di Porsenna and the Museo Civico “La Città Sotterranea”, you will discover a great deal of this civilization.
Chianciano Terme
You know when you think, “I need to relax, I need a holiday”? Well, probably Chianciano Terme is what you need. A huge quantity of spas with all conceivable comforts, are ready to make you forget the stress. In addition to the thermal baths, in Chianciano I recommend you take a tour in the archaeological museum, where you can admire many findings coming from the archaeological sites of the surroundings.
Sarteano
Sarteano is a gem. Among the many things that you can see here, you should a visit the Castle (a great panoramic view) and the Museo civico archeologico. If you come here in summer, don’t miss the Giostra del Saracino.
Cetona
Located just north to the of the mount Cetona, Cetona is a nice village grew around its medieval fortress.
San Casciano dei Bagni
San Casciano dei Bagni is just south from the mount Cetona in an area extraordinarily rich in thermal springs. These sources have been known since Roman times and still today you can take advantage of them with tubs constructed in antiquity.
Montepulciano
Halfway between the Val d’Orcia and the Val di Chiana, Montepulciano is spectacular. A long ascent from Porta a Prato until you reach at the top Piazza Grande, the city’s heart, between a series of monuments of all sorts. Don’t mniss the chiesa di San’Agostino, the fortress, the Duomo and the chiesa di San Biagio. If you look for a good panoramic view point, the tower of the Palazzo Comunale is what you need.
