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Province of Siena

Siena Province
Typical countryside in the province of Siena

The province of Siena covers and area of 3,820.98 sq.km. It is bordered to the north by the province of Florence, to the north east by the province of Arezzo, to the south east by the region of Umbria, to the south by the region of Lazio, to the south west by the province of Grosseto and to the west by the province of Pisa.

Siena Province
Province of Siena, Tuscany

It is hilly and mountainous with the highest peak being Monte Amiata at 1,738 metres and is famous for the Chianti wine it produces.

The province is divided into seven historical sections, Alta Val d'Elsa, Chianti senese, The urban area of Monteriggioni and Siena, Val di Merse, Crete senesi Val d'Arbia, Val di Chiana senese, Val d'Orcia and AmiataSiena

Siena

Siena is the capital of province of Siena in the region of Tuscany, Italy. It is one of the most visited cities in Italy with hundreds of thousands of tourists pouring into the city every year. The beautiful Historic Centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Pienza

Pienza is a large town located in the beautiful countryside of the Val d'Orcia. The town is such a wonderful example of Renaissance urbanism that it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Siena Province
Pienza - Photo: www.flickr.com/people/sherseydc

The main sights are:

The Cathedral

A very early Renaissance facade.

Palazzo Piccolomini

Three stories high with an internal courtyard.

Palazzo Vescovile

Originally built for the bishops who used to travel to Pienza to visit the Pope. Today it is home to two museums, the Diocesan Museum and the Museo della Cattedrale

Palazzo Comunale

The Town Hall.

San Gimignano

This is a small, walled, medieval town set on a hilltop which is famous for its medieval architecture and beautifully preserved towers. There are fourteen of these towers which has given San Gimignano its well deserved nickname, 'The Town of Fine Towers'. The Historic centre of the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Siena Province
San Gimignano - Photo: Vignaccia76

The main square in the centre is Piazza della Cisterna which is actually triangular in shape and has a well in the middle which was once the water source for the residents of the town. The edges of this piazza are lined by medieval houses, many of which are excellent examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The second most important square is the

Piazza Duomo

although the town of San Gimignano does not actually have a Cathedral. This square has, among other buildings around its edges, the

Palazzo Comunale

and the

Palazzo Podesta

.

Towers of San Gimignano

The fourteen towers, which are all of different heights, are:

  • Campanile della Collegiata
  • Torri degli Ardinghelli
  • Torre dei Becci
  • Torre Campatelli
  • Torre Chigi
  • Torre dei Cugnanesi
  • Torre del Diavolo
  • Torre Ficherelli or Ficarell
  • Torre Grossa
  • Torre di Palazzo Pellari
  • Casa-torre Pesciolini
  • Torre Pettini
  • Torre Rognosa
  • Torri dei Salvucci
Siena Province
The Towers of San Gimignano - Photo: Mihael Grmek

Asciano

This small town has evidence of Etruscan, Roman and Lombard settlements with a 5th century BC Etruscan necropolis having been excavated nearby and the remains of Roman baths and mosaic pavement unearthed in the town centre in 1898.

Within the town there is the

Basilica of Sant'Agata

which is an 11th century Romansesque church with a 13th century bell tower.

Roughly 10 kilometres to the south of Asciano is the stunning Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore which was founded in 1313 and for many centuries it was one of the largest land owners in the province of Siena. This very large Benendictine monastery is mostly built from red brick which makes it stand out against the grey, sandy soil and the dark green of the foliage in the background.

Siena Province
Monte Oliveto Maggiore - Photo: Peuplier

Castellina in Chianti

Nestled in a valley among the Chianti Hills, Castellina in Chianti dates back to the Etruscan age. The original walls of the town have been almost demolished but are still visible in the north where there is a well preserved section of basement which is now an underground walkway called Via delle Volte.

Siena Province
Via delle Volte, Castellina in Chianti - Photo: Vignaccia76

Other buildings of interest in the town are:

The large Castle (Rocca) which has 14th century tower and houses a small Etruscan museum.

Palazzo Ugolini-Squarcialupi

Palazzo Bianciardi

The Church of San Salvatore

The Church of San Giorgio alla Piazza

Just outside the town there is a small hillock called

Montecalvario Mound

which has 7th and 6th century BC tombs.

Chianciano Terme

There are many health resorts and spas in Italy and the ones here are considered to be among the best. The water here is reputed to cleanse the liver and also help those with respiratory problems. Some of the bigger spas here are Acqua Fucoli, Acqua Santa, Acqua Santissima and Acqua Sant'Elena with water that can treat kidney and urinary tract problems.

Chiusi

Here you can find 'The Etruscan Museum of Chiusi' which is one of the most important archives of Etruscan remains in Italy. The lowlands all around the town are also dotted with Etruscan tombs.

Other sights include:

Cathedral of San Secondiano

Built in 560 AD and renovated in the 13th century. It was built in the Romanesque style and has a separate bell tower which was later (1585) turned into a defence tower. Underneather this tower there is a Roman swimming pool which dates back to the 1st century BC.

The Labyrinth of Porsenna

The name given to the maze of tunnels which run underneath the town. They were constructed in the 6th and 5th centuries BC as a form of drainage for rain water.

Gaiole in Chianti

Placed by the American magazine 'Forbes' at the number one position in their list of 'Europe's Most Idyllic Places to Live', Gaiole in Chianti is certainly worth a visit.

The main sights are:

The Castle of Brolio

Built in the 11th century.

Siena Province
Castello di Brolio, Gaiole in Chianti - Photo: Robyfra1

Castello di Tornano

A castle and vineyard.

Abbey of Coltibuono

Pieve of San Marcellino

Originally built in medieval times but was was mostly rebuilt in the 14th century.

Pieve of San Polo Rosso

Constructed in the 12th century but became part of a defensive structure in the 14th century.

Pieve of San Giusto in Salcio

Pieve of Santa Maria a Spaltenna

Built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century.

Pieve of San Bartolomeo a Vertine

Built in the 11th century.

Pieve of San Vincenti

Montalcino

A pretty hilltop village with a lovely medieval historic centre full of well preserved buildings. The central square is Piazza della Principessa Margherita which has the late 13th century Palazzo Comunale with a very high medieval tower and a Renaissance building with arches called La Loggia.

Siena Province
View of Montalcino from the fortress - Photo: Type17

The other main interesting sights are:

The medieval walls

Built in the 13th century.

The Fortress

Built in 1361 on the highest point of the town and famous for the fact that the town was seized but the fortress was never conquered.

The Cathedral

Built in the 14th century but had extensive renovations in the 19th century leaving it with the current neo-classical appearance.

The Church of San Francesco

Built in the 13th century but has undergone many renovations over the years.

Montepulciano

The centre of this town has a car free policy and the streets are walker friendly with the main street stretching for 1.5 kilometres. The walls surrounding the town were constructed during the 14th century.

Montepulciano is a major producer of food and drink and is well known in Italy for its pork, cheese, pasta, lentils and honey. It is known world wide for its Montepuciano wines and the Vino Nobile is considered to be one of the best in Italy.

The main sights include:

Palazzo Comunale

Palazzo Tarugi

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Constructed between 1594 and 1680.

The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Built in the late 16th century.

Santa Lucia

A Baroque church.

Siena Province
The Sanctuary of San Biagio, Montepulciano - Photo: Beckstet

Just outside the town is the

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio

which was built in the mid 16th century. It is circular with a large dome and has two bell towers.

Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni is a medieval walled town sitting on top of a natural hillock. The early 13th century town walls, which are almost circular, roughly follow the natural contours of the hill and are around 570 metres in length. There are fourteen towers spread out evenly around the walls and two gates. Porta Fiorentina faces north and opens towards Florence and Porta Romana faces south and opens towards Rome. A straight road runs through the city from one gate to the other.

Siena Province
The city walls, Monteriggioni - Photo: Ines

The main square is Piazza Roma which is dominated by a Romanesque church. The rest of the square is flanked by Renaissance style houses which were once owned by nobles and wealthy merchants.

Poggibonsi

This town has been around since the Neolithic age and has been of some importance since the 10th century due to its position

The main sights include:

The Palazzo Pretorio

Built in the late 13th century and with an attached tower

Torre del Podestà

The Church of San Lorenzo

Built in the Gothic-Romanesque style.

On a hill near the town is the Basilica of San Lucchese which is a large Gothic church, built around 1252.

Flag of Tuscany
Flag of Tuscany
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 22,990 km²
      Population: 3.6 million
      Density: 157/km²
      Capital: Florence

      National Parks:
      Tuscan Archipelago
      Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, and Campigna
Location of Tuscany
Location of Tuscany
Provinces of Tuscany
Provinces of Tuscany
  • Comunes of Tuscany
    • Arezzo
      • Anghiari
        Arezzo
        Badia Tedalda
        Bibbiena
        Bucine
        Capolona
        Caprese Michelangelo
        Castel Focognano
        Castel San Niccolò
        Castelfranco di Sopra
        Castiglion Fibocchi
        Castiglion Fiorentino
        Cavriglia
        Chitignano
        Chiusi della Verna
        Civitella in Val di Chiana
        Cortona
        Foiano della Chiana
        Laterina
        Loro Ciuffenna
        Lucignano
        Marciano della Chiana
        Monte San Savino
        Montemignaio
        Monterchi
        Montevarchi
        Ortignano Raggiolo
        Pergine Valdarno
        Pian di Sco
        Pieve Santo Stefano
        Poppi
        Pratovecchio
        San Giovanni Valdarno
        Sansepolcro
        Sestino
        Stia
        Subbiano
        Talla
        Terranuova Bracciolini

    • Firenze
      • Bagno a Ripoli
        Barberino di Mugello
        Barberino Val d’Elsa
        Borgo San Lorenzo
        Calenzano
        Campi Bisenzio
        Capraia e Limite
        Castelfiorentino
        Cerreto Guidi
        Certaldo
        Dicomano
        Empoli
        Fiesole
        Figline Valdarno
        Firenze
        Firenzuola
        Fucecchio
        Gambassi Terme
        Greve in Chianti
        Impruneta
        Incisa in Val d’Arno
        Lastra a Signa
        Londa
        Marradi
        Montaione
        Montelupo Fiorentino
        Montespertoli
        Palazzuolo sul Senio
        Pelago
        Pontassieve
        Reggello
        Rignano sull’Arno
        Rufina
        San Casciano in Val di Pesa
        San Godenzo
        San Piero a Sieve
        Scandicci
        Scarperia
        Sesto Fiorentino
        Signa
        Tavarnelle Val di Pesa
        Vaglia
        Vicchio
        Vinci

    • Grosseto
      • Arcidosso
        Campagnatico
        Capalbio
        Castel del Piano
        Castell’Azzara
        Castiglione della Pescaia
        Cinigiano
        Civitella Paganico
        Follonica
        Gavorrano
        Grosseto
        Isola del Giglio
        Magliano in Toscana
        Manciano
        Massa Marittima
        Monte Argentario
        Monterotondo Marittimo
        Montieri
        Orbetello
        Pitigliano
        Roccalbegna
        Roccastrada
        Santa Fiora
        Scansano
        Scarlino
        Seggiano
        Semproniano
        Sorano

    • Livorno
      • Bibbona
        Campiglia Marittima
        Campo nell’Elba
        Capoliveri
        Capraia Isola
        Castagneto Carducci
        Cecina
        Collesalvetti
        Livorno
        Marciana
        Marciana Marina
        Piombino
        Porto Azzurro
        Portoferraio
        Rio Marina
        Rio nell’Elba
        Rosignano Marittimo
        San Vincenzo
        Sassetta
        Suvereto

    • Lucca
      • Altopascio
        Bagni di Lucca
        Barga
        Borgo a Mozzano
        Camaiore
        Camporgiano
        Capannori
        Careggine
        Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
        Castiglione di Garfagnana
        Coreglia Antelminelli
        Fabbriche di Vallico
        Forte dei Marmi
        Fosciandora
        Gallicano
        Giuncugnano
        Lucca
        Massarosa
        Minucciano
        Molazzana
        Montecarlo
        Pescaglia
        Piazza al Serchio
        Pietrasanta
        Pieve Fosciana
        Porcari
        San Romano in Garfagnana
        Seravezza
        Sillano
        Stazzema
        Vagli Sotto
        Vergemoli
        Viareggio
        Villa Basilica
        Villa Collemandina

    • Massa-Carrara
      • Aulla
        Bagnone
        Carrara
        Casola in Lunigiana
        Comano
        Filattiera
        Fivizzano
        Fosdinovo
        Licciana Nardi
        Massa
        Montignoso
        Mulazzo
        Podenzana
        Pontremoli
        Tresana
        Villafranca in Lunigiana
        Zeri

    • Pisa
      • Bientina
        Buti
        Calci
        Calcinaia
        Capannoli
        Casale Marittimo
        Casciana Terme
        Cascina
        Castelfranco di Sotto
        Castellina Marittima
        Castelnuovo di Val di Cecina
        Chianni
        Crespina
        Fauglia
        Guardistallo
        Lajatico
        Lari
        Lorenzana
        Montecatini Val di Cecina
        Montescudaio
        Monteverdi Marittimo
        Montopoli in Val d’Arno
        Orciano Pisano
        Palaia
        Peccioli
        Pisa
        Pomarance
        Ponsacco
        Pontedera
        Riparbella
        San Giuliano Terme
        San Miniato
        Santa Croce sull’Arno
        Santa Luce
        Santa Maria a Monte
        Terricciola
        Vecchiano
        Vicopisano
        Volterra

    • Pistoia
      • Abetone
        Agliana
        Buggiano
        Chiesina Uzzanese
        Cutigliano
        Lamporecchio
        Larciano
        Marliana
        Massa e Cozzile
        Monsummano Terme
        Montale
        Montecatini-Terme
        Pescia
        Pieve a Nievole
        Pistoia
        Piteglio
        Ponte Buggianese
        Quarrata
        Sambuca Pistoiese
        San Marcello Pistoiese
        Serravalle Pistoiese
        Uzzano

    • Prato
      • Cantagallo
        Carmignano
        Montemurlo
        Poggio a Caiano
        Prato
        Vaiano
        Vernio

    • Siena
      • Abbadia San Salvatore
        Asciano
        Buonconvento
        Casole d’Elsa
        Castellina in Chianti
        Castelnuovo Berardenga
        Castiglione d’Orcia
        Cetona
        Chianciano Terme
        Chiusdino
        Chiusi
        Colle di Val d’Elsa
        Gaiole in Chianti
        Montalcino
        Montepulciano
        Monteriggioni
        Monteroni d’Arbia
        Monticiano
        Murlo
        Piancastagnaio
        Pienza
        Poggibonsi
        Radda in Chianti
        Radicofani
        Radicondoli
        Rapolano Terme
        San Casciano dei Bagni
        San Gimignano
        San Giovanni d’Asso
        San Quirico d’Orcia
        Sarteano
        Siena
        Sinalunga
        Sovicille
        Torrita di Siena
        Trequanda

Hotels in Tuscany
Hotels in Tuscany
TuscanyWEATHER
Tuscany Climate (Florence)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 15 8 4 63
Feb 15 8 4 52
Mar 17 9 5 43
Apr 19 11 6 31
May 24 15 7 17
Jun 28 18 9 9
Jul 31 22 10 6
Aug 31 22 9 9
Sep 28 19 7 29
Oct 24 16 6 53
Nov 20 12 4 63
Dec 17 10 4 59
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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