Sarteano
(Siena)
The town
Sarteano rises between the sweet hills of the ancient Etruria
at 575 metres on the sea level.
Sarteano is on the buttress of the Cetona Mount, in a magnificent
level ground position. It dominates Chiana Valley, Arezzo?s
Valley and a great part of Umbria.
The large number of archaeological finds
discovered in its area testifies a continuity of the human
presence since Paleolithic till Bronze and Iron Age. The
Etruscan presence is remarkable too, as the numerous necropolis
testify ; they are among the most important of the territory
of Chiusi.
A 10th-century castle stands on the summit
of a spur running through the town, yet the history of Sarteano
starts very much earlier. From an ancient, pre-Etruscan
settlement, it became a Roman then a medieval town and other
than the fortress Sarteano has been able to save the San
Lorenzo and Apollinare cathedral which was built in the
1th century using reclaimed Etruscan and Roman materials
and extended in 1723.
Of special importance is the San Francesco church, 13th-century
Renaissance Facade and remains of a cloister with mullioned
windows and inside a triptych with Madonna and child with
saints by Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio.
Another church to visit is San Martino in Foro which, transferred
from its original position on the town square to its present
one, was redesigned in neoclassical style in 1841. Here
can be seen two paintings of Madonna with child (attributed
to Andrea di Niccolo (1450-1529) and Jacopo di Mino del
Pellicciaio) as well as an annunciation by Domenico Beccafumi
(1486-1551).
Other historical monuments include the town hall, the Arrischianti
theatre, Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Goti-Fanelli, Palazzo
Cennini and Palazzo del Podesta.
As we leave Sarteano to the west it is possibile to reach
Castiglioncello Sul Trinoro and enjoy a healthy walk through
the coppice and pine woods. To the south, towards Radicofani,
we find the ancient fortified abbey of Spineta at 610 metres
above sea level, with romanesque church annex and then continuing
on towards the slopes of Mount Cetona the villages of Fontevetriana
and Casa Bebi.
Every August15th Sarteano attracts hundreds of people to
its town square for the traditional "Saracino",
a procession in historical costume followed by n contest
on horseback between the ancient rivals from the five Contrade.
The spas
there are thermal water spas of hot mineral water for relaxation
and beauty therapy.
For more informations: SARTEANO (Siena) Pro-Loco
Phone: +39 578 265312
Useful numbers
Tourist Office phone (+39) 0578 265312
First-aid phone (+39) 118
Fire Brigade - Montepulciano phone (+39) 0578 757222
Municipality (operator) phone (+39) 0578 2691
"Bologni" Chemists phone (+39) 0578 267092
Hospital - Nottola phone (+39) 0578 3171
Carabinieri - Police phone (+39) 0578 265509
Municipal Police phone (+39) 0578 269226
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