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MONTICIANO: Country : Italy | Region: Tuscany |
Province: Siena
Population: 1483 | Alt. 365 mt a.s.l | Zip
53015 | Area code 0577
Distances: Siena 35 km; Florence 90 km,
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Town information |
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The village of Monticiano rises in Siena's province, in Tuscany, south
west of the city, where the metalliferous hills meet the first Maremma's
woods and offers nature lovers an uncontaminated environment rich in flora
and fauna, variegated by waters and paths, by singular geological sites,
architectural monuments and art treasures to unveil, away from the usual
tourist routes; a strong sense of its history and of its traditions of
labour, culture and recreation all in constant touch with a natural
heritage that is harsh and wild and for this reason unique.
For those that enjoy excursions in nature's solemn silence there is no
better place than the Monticiano territory, which includes the villages of
"Iesa", "San Lorenzo a Merse", "Tocchi", "Scalvaia", "Bagni di Petriolo" ,
"Il Santo" and offers a series of forest courses ideal for excursions on
foot, on bike and horse back, crossing marvellous woods of chestnut trees
and turkey oaks, cork trees, ferns and strawberry trees, but also
extremely rare plant species like the yew and the beech. Along the rivers
Farma and Merse and the numerous streams that flow silently between
valleys and rocks it is not unusual to come face to face with otters, or
alpine newts, or to be able to spot the Fario trout or the rare river
prawn. In Monticiano guided tours are organized through the naturalistic
paths and all the necessary tourist information for visiting the area is provided. |
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Sights to see and things to do |
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The wonderful paths immersed in nature accompany the visitor on the
discovery of the many artistic treasures present in the district. In
addition to the Abbey of San Galgano and the Montesiepi Hermitage, with
which Monticiano territory confines, a special mention is needed: the
Church and cloister of Sant'Agostino with the fresco series representing
the Passion of Christ with works of art by Giovanni di Paolo, Ambrosi, Cozzarelli,
Pietro Lorenzetti and the small collection of sacred art; the parish
church with the recently discovered frescoes, the alleys, the small
piazzas; Monticiano's antique gate and walls; the chapels and hermitages
in the surrounding woods; Tocchi with its castle and the frescoes in the
church; Petriolo's medieval thermal baths; the parish and the village of
San Lorenzo a Merse; the quiet nature that surrounds the villages of "Iesa"
and "Scalvaia". |
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Events
and festivals in
MONTICIANO |
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Constant variations of colours and smells live throughout the year in
Monticiano and its surroundings; Spring is exuberant with greens and
wildflowers, glades of light and warm shadows that awaken the fauna in the
woods. Summer allows refreshing baths in the streams or at the healthy
sulphuric thermal pools, canoe rides along the rivers or just calm
fishing. Autumn is rich and generous in its colours and wild fruits like
mushrooms and chestnuts. The silent Winter, with its frost and low fog,
welcomes the hunting season: the wild boar hunt is a traditional pastime.
The woods have always been the center of life in Monticiano; you can still
meet those who make charcoal slack, who chop wood in the old fashioned way
or who collect tree heath.
The village lives moments of festivity during Easter, with the sacred
Thursday and God Friday procession through the narrow streets of the
village lit by the torches and candles of the faithful. In the torchlight,
the faithful pray and sing an ancient "Stabat mater"and are carried along
the procession the statues of the dead Body of Christ and Our Lady of
Sorrow.
People go on in pilgrimages to Camerata
Hermitage the first Tuesday after Easter. In May there is the village
festival which honours Tagliatelle - Early in June, in Monticiano, there is the
Palio dei Rioni horse race; often throughout summer there are also
concerts and other cultural feasts. The welcome for visitors is guaranted
by family run hotels, farmhouses, holiday farms and other vacation
rentals. The appetite is satiated by genuine dishes based on typical local
cuisine. |
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Getting there |
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By Train: The closest railway station is SIENA train station
Train schedules
By Air: International
flights to Rome, Pisa, Florence o Milan
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