CRETE SENESI
The Crete Senesi are one of Tuscany’s most evocative places and represent a true treasure chest of natural and artistic beauty. The distinctive shape of the Crete Senesi and the unique atmosphere around them have made them famous worldwide and a sought-after destination for tourists and photography lovers. Let’s discover together which places you shouldn’t miss and what makes the Crete Senesi so fascinating.
Located in a special area of Tuscany, the Crete Senesi are an integral part of a landscape unique in the world. The land, with its rolling shape and colors ranging from gray to brown, is made up of hills with soft, sinuous forms, crossed by paved roads that seem to lose the horizon. Views stretching as far as the eye can see, with a light that, depending on the season, takes on different shades: it is the ideal space to immerse yourself in nature, walking among fields and woods, alone or with company, enjoying the calm and beauty of the Tuscan countryside.The Crete Senesi extend between the provinces of Siena and Arezzo. Known for their boundless, arid scenery, they seem to come straight out of an impressionist painting. This area is marked by clay hills with soft, winding shapes that stretch for miles, creating a spectacular, unspoiled landscape.In this territory there are no big cities, only small, enchanting villages that seem to have stood still in time. The areas that host this landscape spectacle are Buonconvento, Montalcino, Asciano, San Giovanni d’Asso and Rapolano Terme, which still preserve their medieval and Renaissance views intact. The Crete Senesi are also famous for their typical product, extra-virgin olive oil, the result of the many olive groves in the area: they are therefore an unmissable destination for those who want to discover the true, natural beauty of Tuscany.The area is known for thrilling natural landscapes that change continuously with the passing of the seasons. In summer, these landscapes take on a warm, ochre hue, while in winter, the white of snow gives an even more magical tone to this place. A must-do activity is to cross the Crete Senesi by bike.Those who choose to visit the Crete Senesi can enjoy the area’s artistic wonders: the convent of Monte Oliveto Maggiore is certainly a place not to miss during a visit to the Crete Senesi. Enhancing this magical, imposing place are the frescoes by Luca Signorelli and Sodoma, which decorate the walls of the corridors and the church.The historic center of the Medieval village of Asciano owes its importance to its strategic position south of Siena along the Via Lauretana: don’t miss the Civic Archaeological Museum and Museum of Sacred Art, where you can admire paintings by the Sienese Bartolo, by Sodoma and by Matteo di Giovanni, and the bicycle museum.You can also visit the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, also known as “the gem of Tuscan Romanesque”: the structure seems to rise from a stretch of cypresses and olive trees. The theories about its origin are still unclear, although there is a document that would date it to before the year 1000. Finally, while reaching these points of interest, you can enjoy the majestic, distinctive landscape of the white road that starts from Buonconvento and unfolds its splendid rolling scenery. The view is truly unique and spectacular and embraces the rounded tower of Sant’Ansano, the towers of Montalcino and Siena.
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source: Terre di Siena