THE CHIANTI

The name "Chianti" identifies an essentially hilly geographical area in centre of Tuscany, between Siena and Florence. In this specific area there is the production of the Chianti Classico wine. The Chainti is a quite large territory, including many characteristic little villages and districts, devoted to agriculture and viticulture and well known for the typical good cuisine. The main theme of the various local folkloristic events and town festivals is the celebration of typical agricultural products: wine and oil, together with traditional culinary specialities. Even if the wine is the main reason of the fame of these lands, Chianti is also appreciated for its ancient traditions and its historical monuments such as castles, villages, abbeys, churches and so on.

SAN GIMIGNANO

It takes name from the Saint who saved the village from the invasion of the Goti. It is 325 meters above sea level. Thanks to its Medieval architecture and its artistic value it has been declared "UNESCO Mankind Heritage". It is famous for its 15 medieval towers, so that it has been nicknamed the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages". The most ancient is the Tower of the podestà, the higher one is the Torre Grossa (Big Tower) with its 54 meters. Very beautiful is the Collegiata Church (the Duomo), an example of Tuscan Romanesque. San Gimignano is moreover renowned for the production of the famous "Vernaccia", a white wine appreciated all over the world, the first Italian wine which obtained the "DOC" label in 1966. .

THE VAL D'ELSA

The Val d'Elsa is in the North-Ovest of Siena and takes its name from the Elsa river, its landscape is hilly and wooded. The main districts are Colle Val d'Elsa, famous fot its crystals, Poggibonsi, Radicondoli, Casole d'Elsa and Monteriggioni. Thanks to its central position in Tuscany, the Val d'Elsa rises in a very strategical area, close to Siena, Florence and Volterra, in the ancient "Via Francigena" route..

THE VAL D'ORCIA

The Val d'Orcia is a large valley, crossed by the Orcia river. The Valley is very important from the environmental point of view, so that in 2004 it has been declared one of the places in the list of "UNESCO Mankind Heritage". The area is hilly and characterized by the typical Siennese Clay Hills, which create an almost "lunar landscape". The towns of the Val d'Orcia are: Castiglione d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico d'Orcia. Other important villages are Monticchiello, Bagno Vignoni, Rocca d'Orcia, Campiglia d'Orcia and Bagni San Filippo.

VAL DI CHIANA

The Valdichiana is crossed by the Main Water Channel of the river Chiana, which was built to reclaim the valley which became a wetland during the Middle Age. 8 are the cities of the Sienese Province in Valdichiana: Cetona, Chianciano Terme, Chiusi, Montepulciano, San Casciano dei Bagni (in parte), Sarteano, Sinalunga e Torrita di Siena. The remaining cities are in the province of Arezzo and in Umbria. .

THE VAL DI MERSE

Embedded between the Maremma and the Siennese Clay Hills, in the south-west side of the province of Siena, the Val di Merse is known both for the thermal establishments (Petriolo Thermal Baths, which were the favourite of the Pope PIO II) and for the wildlife reserves. Not to be missed the marvellous Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano, one of the most famous religious buildings in the province of Siena. Main towns: Chiusdino, Monticiano, Murlo and Sovicille.

SIENNESE CLAY HILLS

Large area between the provinces of Siena and Arezzo, extending to the Monte Amiata. This characteristic clay, known as mattaione, represents the sediments of the Pliocene sea which covered the area between 2.5 and 4.5 million years ago. The soil have a typical grey colouration which makes it appear "lunar". One of the most important monuments of this area is the famous Benedectione Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Towns: Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d'Arbia, Rapolano Terme, San Giovanni d'Asso.