The Fontevetriana farmhouse holiday is found in a homonymous hamlet in the Val d'Orcia, within a well preserved territory that shows a Tuscany already influenced by the softness of Umbria with profound signs of the Etruscan civilization.
It is the true, the most typical and most photographed Tuscany.
A holiday at the Fontevetriana agritourism is ideal for those seeking a period of relaxation, far from noise, immersed in Tuscan nature.
The valleys flanking the farmhouse, the Valdichiana e the Valdorcia (declared patrimony of UNESCO 2004) hold the suggestive fascination which has always spellbound visitors.
Soft, undulating hills, breathtaking views, cypress lined country roads, vineyards and fields of sun flowers reaching the horizon, Romanesque churches and perfectly intact medieval villages will be your destinations.
This is the landscape celebrated by the Sienese school of painters, the location chosen by many famous film directors, but above all a hospitable territory.
These are valleys to pass through slowly discovering hidden treasures in every corner; they are generous valleys, which gave birth to the world renowned wines, Vino Nobile of Montepulciano and Brunello of Montalcino. They are silent valleys which throw open to the traveller a warm smile, serenity, relaxation, peace and unforgettable landscape.
We offer our knowledge of the territory to our guest so as to pass on our love and profound respect of the Tuscan region.
Sarteano
6 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
Sarteano is the Valdorcia municipality in which the Fontevetriana farmhouse holiday is found in an excellent position near to both the motorway and railway (5 mins. from the motorway exit and 10 mins. from the station).Over the past few years the town has undergone continuous development due to the heritage of a harmonious mural landscape, holding remains of prehistoric, Etruscan and Roman civilisations, of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The area is industry free, rich in spa waters (the nearby
Terme of San Casciano Bagni and numerous historical and folklore celebrations are held throughout the summer.
The most spectacular being the " Giostra del Saracino " a horseback tournament, unique of its type, which has taken place for centuries. There is an impressing castle to be admired; built on the acropolis in the midst of a wonderful park of evergreen oaks; also numerous churches from the 18 th century Arrischianti Theatre. In the Archeological Museum can be found exhibits dating from the Bronze Age to the Etruscans.
Museo civico archeologico
Via Roma, 24
Tel. + 39 0578 269261
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Cortona
42 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
The town of Cortona is positioned on Mount Egidio, halfway between the Val di Chiana and the Val Tiberina, from its altitude of 600 mt. it offers a marvellous view of the entire Val di Chiana.
The heart of the town is the Piazza Repubblica overshadowed by the 13 th century Town Hall. The battlements of the palace's tower and consequent Medieval effect are fruit of a 19th century restoration. Behind this palace there is the stately Palazzo Pretorio (magistrates palace), housing the town library, the Etruscan Museum, the Archives and the Academy.
Not to be missed is the ex-church del Gesu' which is the custodian of important works of Beato Angelico, Lorenzetti and Signorelli. Just outside the town walls are two sanctuaries of many: the Church of the Calcinaio and Santa Maria Nuova.
Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca
Piazza Signorelli, 9
Tel. +39 0575 630415 - +39 0575 637235
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Montepulciano
26 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
The name Montepulciano probably comes from Politianum, that is, the castle built during the Etruscan times and documented from 715 B.C. Always contended for by Siena and Florence because of its strategic geographical position (between the Valdorcia and Valdichiana) it lived its golden age in the 16 th century and because of its art and architecture it was named " Pearl of the 16th century ". In this period famous architects such as Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, Vignola and Ippolito Scalza were active. To the latter we owe Le Logge del Grano, Le Logge del Mercato and the Cathedral built on the site of an ancient church, and opposite the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Sangallo designed the beautiful Porta del Prato, the Contucci Palace, the Nobili Tarugi palace, the Palazzo Cervini and the splendid church of San Biagio which interprets and re-elaborates the lessons of Bramante. Montepulciano is world renowned today, not only for its artistic beauty but also, and above all, for the production of the elegant Vino Nobile of Montepulciano , already christened Nobile in the late 18 th century because it was drunk by the nobles of the area.
Today the town is also a centre of lively cultural activities; amongst the best known is the " Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte " where professional artists e students, impassioned and simple amateurs "build" performances; the Folk theatre of the Bruscello di Montepulciano where the knightly exploit and local legends are staged and sung to the accompaniment of a piano accordion and violin. The main event of the folklore of Montepulciano is the Bravio delle Botti , a traditional race through the narrow, steep streets of the old town, each team trying to overtake the other in the strenuous up hill barrel race.
Museo Civico e Pinacoteca Crociani
Via Ricci, 10
Tel + 39 0578 717300
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Pienza
36 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
Founded in 828 under the name of Corsignano, after a period of submission to Siena, Pienza became the domain of the Piccolomini family. It's history is closely linked to Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a humanist, who became Pope in 1459 ( Pio II ). During his papacy he turned his native village into a Renaissance residence with the help of the architect Rossellino, Alberti's disciple. The aim of the project was to create a utopian image of an ideal town , this making it a true and proper urban museum. The centre of the town is Piazza Pio II, enclosed by the Cathedral of the Assunta, Palazzo Piccolomini, the Canonical Residence, Palazzo Borgia, housing the Diocesan Museum and Palazzo of the Priori.
Below the town lies the unforgettable spectacle of the Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park of the Val d'Orcia with its magical landscape of gullies, rolling fields and the famous clay crags. Less than 1 km from the town lies the Church of Saint Modesto and Vito, an ancient Romanesque church with a round tower; inside is the baptismal font where Pope Enea Silvio Piccolomini was baptised.
Pienza has maintained its beauty through the centuries; from its side streets (with propitiatory names: Via dell'Amore, Vicolo del Bacio, Vicolo della Fortuna etc.) the fabulous landscape of the Valdorcia opens up, no wonder it has been declared a patrimony of UNESCO , and that famous directors have chosen it as an ideal film set.
Visiting gourmets cannot resist the temptation of the famous and exquisite Pecorino of Pienza.
Museo Diocesano
Corso Rossellino, 30
Tel. + 39 0578-749905
Some places in the neighbourhood of Pienza:
La Foce
At La Foce is the harmonious villa acquired at the beginning of last century by the Marquis Origo and his wife. The couple carried out many admirable works in the area: reclamation and cultivation of land, the construction of a nursery, a school and a doctor's surgery.
The Foce Villa is still enhanced by a good example of an Italian garden, re-established by landscape architect Cecil Pinsent at the beginning of the 20 th century . Open to visitors on Wednesday afternoons. From La Foce, proceeding along the Cassia, one can admire a small cypress lined lane clambering up the hillside; surely the most photographed view of Tuscany .
Monticchiello
Just a few kilometres from Pienza, on a hill and rightly known as the balcony of the Valdorcia, lies Monticchiello, a small medieval village; which retains its gothic fascination. The village is renowned not only for its beauty but also for the Teatro Povero di Monticchiello . Performances are conceived and interpreted by local people; inhabitants also compose the music and construct the scenery. From a "popular experiment" the theatrical experience of Monticchiello has become a significant example of Italian theatre.
Sant’Anna in Camprena
An Olivetan Monastery founded in 1324 and successively renovated Sant'Anna is renowned for its frescoes of Sodoma. The artist, who was the author of the passage from the Renaissance style to that of Mannerism, represented various episodes in the life of Jesus on the refectory walls and to the left of the entrance a splendid Madonna and Child. In this same monastery many scenes of "The English Patient" were filmed.
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San Quirico d’Orcia e Bagno Vignoni
34 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
First starting around the church of San Quirico Osenna in the XIII century, San Quirico d'Orcia grew up on the Francigena way (the pilgrim's road of the Middle Ages). The lay out of the town reveals a clear example of Medieval architecture. Unfortunately all traces of the 2 main gateways opening onto the Francigena way have been lost; whilst the Porta of the Cappuccini (facing Pienza) has survived. The most important building is, without doubt, the Collegiata (collegiate church) with its remarkable decorative details. In the central Piazza is the San Francesco church known as the Madonna Vitaleta, after the homonymous statue by Andrea della Robbia. Opposite is the entrance to the Horti Leonini, one of the first and most important examples of an Italian garden .
Bagno Vignoni
On the Via Cassia leading to Rome is Bagno Vignoni, is the renowned Tuscan spa centre . In the middle of the village is the wonderful thermal pool, 49metres x 29 metres, famous for its sulphurous hot water springs (52°) since Roman times. Many illustrious personalities have benefited from these waters, such as Santa Caterina from Siena e Lorenzo the Magnificent and they have also been part of many famous films (film: Nostalghia di Andrej Tarkowskij).
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Città della Pieve
26 kms from Fontevetriana agritourism
This Umbrian town was the birth place, in 1450, of Pietro Vannucci called Il Perugino, disciple of Verrocchio and maestro to Raffaello.
The heart of the town is Piazza Gramsci, where the cathedral the Palazzo della Crogna and the Torre Civica (38 m) are found. From the Piazza we reach the church of Santa Maria della Mercede, where in the oratorio is found the "Adoration of the Magi" considered one of the best woks of Il Perugino (1504).
Museo d’Arte Diocesana
Cattedrale, P.zza Gramsci
Tel. + 39 0578 298166
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THE SPAs (Thermal baths)
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Terme di San Casciano dei Bagni
6 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
The village of San Casciano Bagni just a few kilometres from Fontevetriana Agritourism is renowed for its hot springs. In the immediate surroundings, just outside the built up area there are 45 springs .
In a historical building which as now become the symbol of Terme of San Casciano, we find the Centro Termale Fonteverde.
The waters : their beneficial effects are many. They act principally on the locomotoria system, regulating muscle tone on the skin with anti - inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial, detergent and toning effects on the nervous system aiding relaxation, on the respiratory system and on the liver and bile-duct system.
Centro Termale Fonteverde
San Casciano dei Bagni
Loc. Terme, 1
Tel. +39 0578 58023
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Terme di Bagni San Filippo
30 kms from Fontevetriana farmhouse
Bagni di San Filippo is a small spa centre immersed in the green of the hamlet of Castiglion d'Orcia (SI). The town nestles near the waters in a suggestive scene created by the waterfalls tumbling over the calcium deposit of the water.
The waters of the Terme di San Filippo, sulphurous, sulphate and bicarbonate (52°) with the natural mud are used in the spa establishment for balneotherapy, mud balneotherapy, inhalation in osteo-articulation conditions (rheumatism, sciatica, osteo-calluses); for illnesses of the ear, throat and nose (rhinitis, pharyngitus, .) for illnesses of the respiratory system (chronic bronchitis, trachea bronchitis, asthma) and for skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, acne).
Terme San Filippo
Fraz. Bagni S. Filippo, 23
Tel. + 39 0577 872982
