Asciano

Asciano is a marvellous town administratively under the municipality of Siena, in the Tuscany region. The town is located in a unique landscape known as the Crete Senesi, just between the River Ombrone and the Copra Stream. It is a hilly area southeast of Siena, with areas that are almost bare of vegetation, with "calanche" or “biancane” (typical clayey, porous and light-coloured soil), that seem to create a moonscape. Other sections are green with grains or sunflowers (in season) and spiked with cypress trees, forming an almost-classic Tuscany landscape, and yet somehow still unusual and different. You have to see it to understand! From the Middle Ages, this area was known as “Deserto di Accona” where today, thanks to some important irrigation works,the cultivation of wheat and sunflowers, as mentioned, take place.

Asciano has Etruscan and Roman origins. You will be able to admire a fascinating Etruscan necropolis, dated back at the 5th century BC along with the remains of Roman baths. The town used to be contested between Siena and Florence in the Battle of Montaperti, until 1285, when it was conquered by Siena and surrounded by boundary walls in 1351, in order to protect it from further invasions.

You shouldn't miss the Romanesque collegiate church of St Agata, which is the most important church in Asciano. It dates back at XII-XIX century and it's composed by a nave with apsis transept, covered by cross vaults. On the left you will find the marvellous Lombard bell-tower. The façade is divided into three parts by ogive (pointed) arches. The church contains two masterpieces- two 16thcentury frescoes: a Madonna with the Infant Jesus, the Archangel Michael and the donor, created by disciples of Sodoma; and the Pietà, maybe attributable to Riccio. They are beautiful.

Beside the Church of St Agata there is the Museum of Holy Art, an exhibition of works dated at 14th and 15th centuries, by painters of the Sienese school. The Archaeological Museum contains artifacts from a number of tombs of the Poggio Pinci Etruscan necropolis.

Just south of Asciano is the large Benedictine monastery on the hill of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, which is famous for being the original village for the Olivetans. The monastery was named Monte Oliveto Maggiore to distinguish it from successive monasteries of the order at Florence, San Gimignano, Naples and elsewhere. Nowadays, It is still the primary house of the order or congregation.

Every September, Asciano comes alive with its program of typical markets, parties and concerts. In December it is crowded with foodies who come for the white truffle market, with displays, samplings, and food stalls.

There is a famous exhibition of clay pots which take place every second Sunday of the month in the old centre of the town. You will find not only pots, but also organic food and wine from the local area as well as handicrafts.

Besides being near Siena, the area attracts hikers, who love the unusual hills and formations, and of course, it is surrounded by wine country. There are many good restaurants in town and in the nearby countryside.