Voices from the past

Gentle hills with their systems of terrace cultivation and wide valleys crossed by rivers provide the natural environment which, over the centuries, has hosted the development and production of one of the best wines in the world: Chianti. The Chianti territory embraces parts of the provinces of Florence, Arezzo, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena. It is with good reason, therefore, that the Chianti region, like the Tuscan wine, is so greatly esteemed. The origins of its identity lose themselves in legend, when Florence and Siena fought for dominion in an often cruel struggle. Siena dates back to the Etruscans, when it was called Sena Etruria. Later it became a Roman colony named Sena Julia. This splendid town, situated in the heart of Tuscany, conserves intact its medieval roots. Indeed it was during medieval times that Siena reached the height of its splendour. First under the Lombards, then under the Carolingians, the town had a long period of Episcopal rule from the 8th to the 11th centuries until it became an autonomous municipality in 1147. Peace followed under the Guelfs, during which the majority of Siena's most notable monuments were erected. However, conflict with Florence resumed at the end of 1555, the year in which Siena was defeated by the Florentines, and thus it became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and so followed its history into the unification of Italy..

Don't miss...

To fully take in the beauty of the Chianti region, travel along the so-called Chiantigiana road which links Florence and Siena. Along this road, you can enjoy a journey amongst gentle hills, vineyards, fields of sunflowers, olive groves and castles. Stop off at Greve in Chianti, with its old market square, at Castellina, at San Gimignano which was declared by UNESCO to be part of the world's architectural heritage, and at Radda - the old administrative centre of the League of Chianti, until you reach Siena, one of the most important artistic towns in Italy; its school included Duccio di Buoninsegna and Simone Martini. The plan of the town is typically medieval and the town itself is surrounded by a city wall with 13th century gates. In the centre, you can visit the famous Piazza del Campo, dominated by the Torre del Mangia and the Palazzo Pubblico, a splendid Gothic building housing the Museo Civico, its art collection including works by Simone Martini and Lorenzetti. Not far from here is the Duomo, attributed to Nicola Pisano, and the Libreria Piccolomini with frescoes by Pinturicchio. Also noteworthy are the town's museums, above all the Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana, which houses the famous Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna, and the Pinacoteca Nazionale which has examples of paintings from the Sienese School from the 13th to 16th centuries.

Events

Every village and locality conserves it own traditions which even today give life to interesting events. During the Fiera delle Messi in San Gimignano in June, the town relives its medieval past with tournaments and stalls, while there is a medieval pageant every April in Panzano, Chianti. Don't miss the Chianti Classico festival, in Greve in September. The most characteristic cultural event in Siena is without doubt the Palio horse-race, in which, twice a year, ten of the seventeen contrade or districts of the city participate. This very old tradition is accompanied by picturesque heraldic motifs displayed all over the town. There are also other types of events. Cinema-lovers can enjoy two important annual festivals, the Visionaria Videofestival and the Festival internazionale del cortometraggio, whilst those who prefer the theatre can choose between the Teatro dei Rozzi and the Teatro dei Rinnovati.