In the vicinity: the area around Poggio al Vento

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The area around Poggio al Vento is studded with lovely hilltop towns scattered here and there in the splendid Val di Chiana. Looking about, you will encounter Marciano della Chiana, Castiglion Fiorentino, Foiano della Chiana, Lucignano and Monte San Savino. Some are better known than others, but all are worth a visit.

First of all is Marciano della Chiana, almost attached to Pozzo della Chiana. The town is characterized by the beautiful tower, part of the castle whose rectangular shape reveals its military nature. The tower and the fortress of the castle were the object of a long restoration and today are used as a cultural centre. From the tower, you can admire the countryside of entire Val di Chiana.

The tour continues with Castiglion Fiorentino, a small but lovely town whose heart is the tower of the Cassero (fortress). The tower can be visited and is the site of a very evocative medieval festival in late May. A stroll through the historical centre will also bring you to the Loggia of Vasari, the Town Hall, the Palazzo Pretorio (now the library), the archaeological museum, and the municipal art gallery in the church of Sant'Angelo.

Heading back, we recommend a stop in Foiano della Chiana to admire the historical centre containing numerous ceramic sculptures by Andrea della Robbia in the town’s churches. The main sites are the Town Hall, the church of San Francesco, the church of San Michele Arcangelo, the church of Santa Maria della Fraternità, the church of Santi Martino e Leonardo, and the Temple of Santo Stefano alla Vittoria built in 1572 by Giorgio Vasari. The temple is on the road leading from Pozzo della Chiana to Poggio al Vento.

The next stop in the tour is Lucignano with its characteristic elliptical urban plan typical of the medieval period; in fact, it’s one of the few still intact. Walking through Lucignano, you have the feeling that you’re proceeding along a spiral leading eventually to the heart of the town, consisting of the Town Hall, the Collegiata church and the church of San Francesco. These edifices were the nerve centres of medieval life and thus the most protected ones situated at the town’s highest point.

A few kilometres from Lucignano is Monte San Savino. A visit to its historical centre should include the Merchants’ Loggia, a 16^th century construction in pietra serena stone, and facing it the Palazzo di Monte, the current town hall with its lovely garden. Also worth visiting are the Cassero fortress and the Synagogue built where the ancient ghetto used to be. Monte San Savino is the ideal place for a snack and it’s famous for its porchetta (boneless pork roast).

Itineraries and travel times by car:

 

From Poggio al Vento, pass through Pozzo della Chiana and continue toward Marciano della Chiana.

From Marciano della Chiana, take SP25 in the direction of Castiglion Fiorentino.

From Castiglion Fiorentino, take SP27 in the direction of Foiano della Chiana.

From Foiano della Chiana, take SP28 in the direction of Lucignano.

From Lucignano, take SP19 in the direction of Monte San Savino.

From Monte San Savino, return home on SP26 in the direction of Pozzo della Chiana.

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