A fantastic way to see a lot of Tuscany in a short time is to enjoy a few day trips of different scenic regions in the area. One such day trip that tourists would enjoy is a day trip of the Val di Merse area, namely the towns of Monticiano and Chiusdino. Two related articles describe the general tourist attractions of this area as well as another planned day trip of the main towns. There is a wide range of excellent holiday rentals in the Val di Merse area for visitors who’d like to stay here for a few days.
The large town of Chiusdino is a popular tourist spot, mainly because it’s the home place of St. Galgano when he was born in 1148.
His home, a simple grey stone building is now a shrine. In the simple Romanesque chapel of the Compagnia, there’s a decorative bas relief depicting St. Michael’s apparition to St. Galgano. The saint’s head is now conserved as a sacred relic in the nearby Propositura di San Michele! Tourists should visit the famous monastery he founded a short distance away, the Abbey of San Galgano. A small circular chapel on a hill beside it is where the popular legend of the Sword in the Stone is thought to have originated!
The large town of Chiusdino is a popular tourist spot, mainly because it’s the home place of St. Galgano when he was born in 1148.
His home, a simple grey stone building is now a shrine. In the simple Romanesque chapel of the Compagnia, there’s a decorative bas relief depicting St. Michael’s apparition to St. Galgano. The saint’s head is now conserved as a sacred relic in the nearby Propositura di San Michele! Tourists should visit the famous monastery he founded a short distance away, the Abbey of San Galgano. A small circular chapel on a hill beside it is where the popular legend of the Sword in the Stone is thought to have originated!
This bustling town is close to the famous pilgrim’s route, the Via Francigena which brings plenty of travellers to the area. If your trip here falls on a Thursday, it’s a wonderful place to stop and enjoy a tasty lunch of cheeses, smoked sausages, crusty bread and perhaps a delicious bottle of local red or white wine bought from the weekly farmer’s market. Other places of interest in Chiusdino are the nearby ruins of a castle built close to the charming medieval hamlet of Frosini.
Less than twenty minutes drive from Chiusdino is the lively town of Monticiano. Visitors would enjoy walking around the decorative church of Sant’Agostino which has a Baroque interior of vivid frescoes and paintings.
Tourists would also take pleasure in a visit to Palazzo Callaini in Monticiano. It was converted into a church and has a strange symbol at the bottom of the side entrance to the building; ‘Antico Spedale’ which is an image of a snake with a lily in its mouth!
Less than twenty minutes drive from Chiusdino is the lively town of Monticiano. Visitors would enjoy walking around the decorative church of Sant’Agostino which has a Baroque interior of vivid frescoes and paintings.
Tourists would also take pleasure in a visit to Palazzo Callaini in Monticiano. It was converted into a church and has a strange symbol at the bottom of the side entrance to the building; ‘Antico Spedale’ which is an image of a snake with a lily in its mouth!
Visit the local ‘Buca dei Falchi’, a huge cave full of stalactites and stalagmites for a few hours or stroll along the many guided walking, cycling or horse riding tours available around this picturesque town. The ancient hamlet of Castello di Tocchi is only a few minutes’ walk away and would be the perfect setting to enjoy a picnic meal as you gaze around the peaceful environment of colourful flowers and trees.
This interesting tourist trail is the best way to see some of Val di Mense’s finest historical, artistic and cultural sites!
This interesting tourist trail is the best way to see some of Val di Mense’s finest historical, artistic and cultural sites!
