Experience Tuscany » Churches

Tour of Siena, a Short Itinerary

ClairPhillys — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:20:37 +0000

Siena is a small city that you could tour in one day. It is just nice to stroll around aimlessly to get that sense of history and get deliciously lost in its winding streets and endless ups and downs.
As opposed to Florence, Siena is not a city near a river (the river of the town flows underground, underneath the city, but this is another story…). Therefore it is not flat as all riverside cities naturally are. This makes Siena a unique town, which over a small territory was able to develop a great power in medieval time, and to become world known for its beauty and great quality of life.

The tour of Siena starts in Piazza del Campo, the heart of the city. The square is “D” shaped and divided into cloves to mimic the mantle of the Virgin Mary, to whom the city is profoundly devoted since ancient times. The lines bring the eye to the Palazzo Pubblico, the town hall, with its imposing tower Torre del Mangia. Opposite the Palazzo is Jacopo della Quercia’s Fonte Gaia, although this is a copy. The original is preserved in the terrace of the Palazzo Pubblico and can be visited. Other important palaces on the square are the Palazzo Chigi Zonzadari, Palazzo Sansedoni, the De Metz Houses, and the Palazzo d’Elci.
The Palazzo Pubblico was built around the 1200 by an unknown architect. In addition to the town hall, you will also find the Civic Museum, with frescoes by Simone Martini, one of the masters of the Sienese School, the Mappamondo Room, and Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Good Government and Bad Government. These are just few of the reasons why the museum is worth a visit.
If you feel audacious you can climb the narrow stairs that bring to the top of the Torre del Mangia, definitely worth the view.

Exit the Palazzo Pubblico and opposite you will find the Vicolo di San Pietro, leading to the Croce del Travaglio. Proceed along Via Banchi di Sopra, the main shopping street of Siena. Along the way you will flank historic sights as Palazzo Tolomei, Piazza Salimbeni and Palazzo Salimbeni. At Palazzo Salimbeni turn left downhill and continue until you will get to the church of San Domenico.

Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, San Domenico is an impressive brick church resting on a sandstone rock that overlooks great part of Siena. Here is preserved one of the images of Saint Catherine of Siena, perhaps a portrait by Andrea Vanni, and other images of the saint by Sodoma. Other artists that contributed to the prestige of the church are Francesco di Giorgio, Benedetto da Maiano and Andrea di Giovanni.

Exit the church and retrace your way to Via Banchi di Sopra and start walking towards Piazza del Campo. Keep an eye for a Gothic pointed arch on the left that leads into Via dei Rossi. Follow this street until you get to the San Francesco Church.
This is a baroque building with a modern facade. It features only one nave, and its walls are lined with marble. The highlights here are Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s St. Louis of Anjou and his Martyrdom of Franciscan Monks, and Pietro Lorenzetti’s Crucifixion.

Exit San Francesco, go back to Croce del Travaglio, then take via Banchi di Sotto until you reach Palazzo Piccolomini. This is one of the most elegant Renaissance buildings in this predominantly medieval city. It is nowadays the state archives, but it also contains the splendidly decorated Tavolette di Biccherna, wooden covers for the ancient Sienese officials.

Now continue passing by the Logge del Papa, take Via del Porrione, continue on Via di San Martino, Via San Girolamo, then Via di Servi until you reach the Chiesa dei Servi. Santa Maria dei Servi was built in the 13th century and considerably restored in the 15th and 16th centuries. The nave was the most restored, and it presents the most evident Renaissance elements. The highlights are Coppo di Marcovaldo’s Virgin and Child, Pietro Lorenzetti’s fresco of the Slaughter of the Innocents, Lippo Memmi’s Madonna del Popolo, and Giovanni di Paolo’s Madonna del Manto.

Here is the mapped out Itinerary to tour Siena:

View Tour of Siena Itinerary in a larger map

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Florence Tour Itinerary

ClairPhillys — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:59:27 +0000

Florence in Italy is among the most visited cities in Tuscany. The blunt reason is that there is so much to see and experience at so many levels (artistic, historic, mundane, literary, cultural, religious just to name a few) that anyone has a reason to visit Florence at least once. Visiting Florence is a lifetime experience. But you may get frustrated over so much to see and a limited time frame.
Supposing you have only one day to spend in Florence, what would you see? You will not be able to see it all, and you may not even want to. The best thing is to “tackle” the city from one side only, following a well defined ideal trail that covers a specific and delimited area. It seems easily said, but there are so many contiguous interesting things in Florence that some sort of guide become really necessary.
Here is a simple yet intense itinerary to tour Florence on your own and get the most out of it. It can be covered in one day or two, depending on how much time you have in your hands or willingness to deepen your knowledge of each sight.

Start from Piazza del Duomo. Here is the wonderful trio composed by the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the San Giovanni Baptistery, and Giotto’s Bell-tower. Visit the interiors of the cathedral and climb up to the top of the bell tower for a wonderful view of Florence. The baptistery can only be visited on the ouside on most days, but be sure to admire the Porta del Paradiso golden portal by Ghiberti.
Continue on Via Roma, one the major shopping streets of Florence where you can also find Luisa Via Roma’s haute-couture. Cross the splendid Piazza della Repubblica and then stop at the Loggia di Mercato nuovo, where is the wild boar bronze named Porcellino. The Loggia was built in 1511 to host the gold and silk merchants, and is nowadays an open air market of handmade goods and souvenirs. The Porcellino is a copy of a Hellenistic sculpture preserved in the Uffizi.
Continue along Via Calimala until you reach Ponte Vecchio. This is the “latest” edition of a series of bridges that since the inception of Florence have united the two riversides in this exact place. Every time a flood destroyed a bridge, a new one was built. This one is in place since the 14th century. The gold shops lining the Ponte replaced the butcher shops banished in the late 1500s, while the top windows belong to the Corridoio Vasariano.
Cross the bridge and arrive at Palazzo Pitti, where are hosted a series of noteworthy museums. The Palatine gallery with paintings from the past centuries, the Monumental Apartments where the Medici, Lorraine and Savoys lived, the Gallery of Modern Art with paintings from the 20th century, the Silver Museum with precious heirlooms and furniture by the previous occupants. The Porcelain Museum, the Costumes Museum and the Coach Museum are all hosted in the world renown Boboli Garden at the back of the palace.
Commissioned by Eleonora da Toledo, the Boboli Gardens is the first example of Italian garden. On its many acres of hillside land it includes pools, fountains, statuary, small forests, lawns, flowerbeds, greenhouses and an amphitheater.
Leave the Palazzo and continue on the Sdrucciolo del Pitti to Santo Spirito, the splendid Early Renaissance church by Brunelleschi and Manetti. The interiors are astonishing and a must-see. From the square take Via Sant’Agostino and then Via Santa Monica to reach the Santa Maria del Carmine Church in San Frediano, a historic district of Florence. The 13th century church owes its fame to the Brancacci Chapel which adorn the interiors, frescoed by Masaccio and finished by Filippino Lippi.

Here this tour of Florence ends. Take it, let me know if you liked it, I would love to hear impressions!

Find here a detailed map of the tour. Bookmark the map’s link on your GPS device, then pull it up in Florence.

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Tuscan Crucifixes

ClairPhillys — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:21:05 +0000

Tuscany has a very old and strong catholic tradition devoted to the Virgin Mary, but of course also to the Crucifix. Every antique church preserves an antique crucifix, and there are many that hold an interesting story or particular value.

Castagneto Carducci
Like the wooden Crucifix of freat artistic importance from the Pisan school of 1400. It is preserved in its closed casket in the Church of Santissimo Crocifisso in Castagneto Carducci. It is uncovered twice a year, on May 3rd and September 14th, and every three years it is carried in procession during the ritual Triennial festivals. This work was part of the monastery of San Colombano, but when it was destroyed with its church the Cross was miraculously unharmed. The legend has it that during an October day a farmer found it under the rubbles. While he was working his animals suddenly stopped and refused to go forward. Pushed by curiosity he began to rummage through the rubble and found the Crucifix in good condition. It was then moved where it can be admired today. The single nave structure of the church presents one entrance that immediately brings face to face with the image of Christ with the side wound and bleeding palms, and behind him the cross of martyrdom and two crowns of thorns. We also find decorations that simulate a marble base decorated with geometric shapes and the ceiling made of wooden painted trusses. The side walls are plastered on the outside and on them there are four windows. The date of construction of the church dates back to 1587 and the present appearance is due to Count Walfredo Della Gherardesca in 1922.

Radda in Chianti
There is a curious wooden crucifix in Radda in Chianti in the church of St. Niccolò. The wooden cross has mobile arms attributed to an anonymous Fifteenth-century Florentine master greatly influenced by Donatello. The crucifix has been the center of a strong popular cult for centuries and it finds its apogee in the Day of Pardon that takes place the last Sunday of August in Radda. The cult of the crucifix is also documented in Fifteenth century documents.

San Pietro a Borgo a Buggiano
The church of St. Peter Borgo a Buggiano, better known as the Sanctuary of Santissimo Crocifisso due to the image that is preserved inside. According to old chronicles, in 1399 it “threw blood from several parts of its head”. It stands on the ancient road that leads from Pistoia to Lucca. The story goes that in times of bloody struggles on August 18, 1399 a devout old woman praying to the Holy Image saw it “live blood drips” from the front, side, hands and feet. Impressed by this miracle she began to cry at the miracle calling the people who joint in the prayer. The miracle helped to calm the minds of the fighters and assuage disputes. Still to this date the Crucifix is venerated and celebrated, like it has been for centuries, by the locals.

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The Black Columns of The Florence Baptistery

ClairPhillys — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:02:50 +0000

The Florence Baptistery in front of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the Duomo, is among the most beautiful of the world. The golden doors named Porta del Paradiso, or Paradise Door, are the masterpiece of Lorenzo Ghiberti and his son. Everything is balanced and harmonious.
What are those two uneven black columns doing besides the main entrance of the Baptistery then? If you have seen the building in person or in a picture, this question might have struck your curiosity.
This is how the story goes. You must consider that in the past Florence and Pisa were in constant war with one another for commercial and political supremacy reasons. It was a dirty war, full of hatred and cruel deeds that many times had shown the worst of both sides.
Nonetheless, when superior common interests came into play, it was not strange to see the two cities joint allies against the cause. It seems that times has not changed things that much…
It happened that at the beginning of the 12th century the Saracen pirates disrupted the commercial lines that run along the Tuscan coast and on the Arno river, causing great problems to both Pisa and Florence. Pisa had a very strong fleet at the mouth of River Arno by the sea, while Florence had none. Therefore it was Pisa among the two the best suited to fight the pirates. However, sending out to sea its army would have constituted a great risk of being attacked by Florence and even Lucca, that during those times was an even greater enemy.
Pisa sent to Florence ambassadors requesting that during the war against the Saracens Florence would not attack the city. Moreover, they requested that the Florentine army moved to Pisa to defend it from Lucca. Florence accepted, and its army stood guarding the city walls, with the mandatory order not to trespass the city doors to avoid any solitary reprisal action against citizens.
The war of Pisa went as hoped. The Saracen fleet was destroyed, and their headquarters in Majorca were also loathed and burnt to the floor. The loathing produced a huge amount of wealth, among which were two stone columns. Magical powers were attributed to these two columns. Through the reflection of the people passing by the columns one could determine who among those was a thief, traitor, killers and so on. This was the gift that the Pisans gave to Florence, thankful for landing their loyal and respectful army.
The columns arrived in Florence wrapped in red fabric, which created suspicion among the Florentines. When they removed the fabric they realized that the columns were blackened by smoke. It was just fair that since they were part of the burnt building, that was the cause of the blackening. However, the Florentines preferred to think that the Pisans had burnt them on purpose to remove all magic powers that could reveal to the Florentines their villain nature.
The columns were placed on the facade of the popular Baptistery as an admonition of the Pisan dishonesty to future generations!

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Piazza Santa Croce in Florence

ClairPhillys — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:43:34 +0000

Piazza Santa Croce is the popular and artistic heart of Florence. The area once was an island formed by two arms of the Arno that separated near Piazza Beccaria. The area was reclaimed a century later the Franciscans created here their cathedral in mid 13th century.
The square used to be surrounded by wooden fences that marked permanently the area of Historic Football, but at the end of the Eighteenth century they were removed in favor of the pillars and stone benches that are still in place today. The south and west sides of the square are occupied by noble palaces. The north side has a series of less important medieval buildings.
The Basilica of Santa Croce looms unmistakably on the east side of the square, with its neo-Gothic facade built in the Nineteenth century. Today, the cathedral of Santa Croce is especially famous as the burial place of many celebrities and Italian artists like Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, among the many and most famous. Dante Alighieri should have been buried here but the city of Ravenna, where he died in exile, always opposed resistance to returning the poet to his native city. The statue of Dante on the left of the facade was placed in 1865.

The perimetral buildings create a scenic effect. Those on the south side have the characteristic protruding top floors supported by inclined pillars (called sporte), a forerunner of loggias.

Cocchi-Dusseldorfer Palace
Among the most original buildings of the square stands the Cocchi-Düsseldorfer Palace, opposite the basilica, it is a cube-shaped building with an elegant facade, the result of transformations during various ages.

Dell’Antella Palace
On the south side stands the long facade of the Dell’Antella Palace, the result of successive enlargements repeated over time that merged into a single structure adjacent dwellings. The windows of the facade are closer to one another the more it approaches the basilica in order to give the prospective illusion of greater size.

The large square of Santa Croce right from the beginning was the scene of celebrations and popular events in Florence. In particular, since the Fourteenth century and especially in the Fifteenth century, horseback tournaments took place here.
Since the square is very large and regularly shaped, in the Renaissance period it became the ideal place for knightly jousts, festivals, performances and popular competitions as Calcio in Costume, or Historic Football, which is still held each year in June. From 1865 to 1978 the football was interrupted because at the center of the square was placed the statue of Dante Alighieri, then moved to the current location after the flood that in 1966 hit Florence.
The square is still sometimes used for concerts, special events, like Patti Smith’s 2009 concert. In August 2006 Roberto Benigni read the Divine Comedy over a 13 evenings period under the severe sight of Dante’s statue.

Where is Piazza Santa Croce in Florence?

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Good Friday Folklore in Tuscany

ClairPhillys — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:26:22 +0000

Tuscany is a very devoted land where catholic faith is rooted in the culture. Through the centuries the popular expression of this faith has developed a great many characteristic rituals that differ from town to town. It is in the Tuscan towns that these celebrations have survived, much more than in cities. Florence is an exception with its “Scoppio del Carro” in the Cathedral’s square, as the other Tuscan cities celebrate the Holy Week in a more conservative manner. Therefore you find Castiglion Fiorentino with its Volata, or live representations of the Passion of Christ reenacted by locals and attended by many. These rituals are played each year since many years, and in certain cases centuries. Therefore, attending them will give you a great insight on the roots of the land you are visiting and the people you are meeting everyday while you are in Tuscany. All the events below are scheduled on each Good Friday of each year.

Processions of the Holy Week and Voltata in Castiglion Fiorentino – Arezzo
More than a hundred players take part in the incomparable scenario set in a kind of natural amphitheater to recreate the epic moments narrated in the Gospels.

Festa Grossa in Montevettolini – Pistoia
It is a religious event that involves the whole town and is celebrated in honor of the precious Crucifix venerated in the parish of Saint Michael and Lorenzo Montevettolini.

Representation of the Sacred Passion of Christ in Bibbona – Livorno
It is part of a series of events planned for the Easter week in the old town center of Bibbona; this is the reenactment involving hundreds of people reenacting the Passion of Christ.

Reenactment of the Passion of Christ in Grassina – Florence
Five hundred actors in costume make up the procession for one of the most representative events of the evening.

Giudeata on Good Friday in Castiglione d’Orcia – Siena
During the evening paper mache figures of Jesus and the Virgin Mary are carried in procession through the streets of the town accompanied by the band and torches.

Giudeata in Abbadia San Salvatore – Siena
The traditional parade along the streets of the town to commemorate the Via Crucis.

Antique Giudeata on Good Friday in Chianciano Terme – Siena
The procession evokes an old tradition that has never really been lost and has its roots in Seventeenth-century sacred representations.

Traditional procession of the Holy Cross in San Gimignano – Siena
The procession includes the Brothers of Mercy, with their typical black tunic and cape, that will parade through the streets of the Old Town.

Historical re-enactment of Christ’s Passion in Strada Castel San Niccoló – Arezzo
The Passion of Christ is revived along the streets of the town recreating the various stages of the original event.

Good Friday procession in Manciano – Grosseto
In honor of the Holy Week of Easter the streets of the old town come alive with the procession in costume.

Procession of the Dead Christ in Seravezza – Lucca
Like every Good Friday celebrations for the commemoration of the Cristo Morto will be held. Celebration of very ancient origins, from approximately half of the 17th century.

Triennial of Dead Jesus in Camaiore – Lucca
The spectacular illuminations, which for a night makes of the old town a unique place in the world, this year celebrates 300 years since its first certain start date.

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Tuscan Towns: Montopoli

ClairPhillys — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:08:51 +0000

Surely among the Tuscan towns to visit, Montopoli rises on the back of a limestone hill near the Arno, and was one and the most important castles in the lower Valdarno and Tuscany. Boccaccio remembered it as an “Illustrious Castle” for its mighty fortifications. Its oldest part still preserves the appearance of the typical medieval settlement. The castle in its original appearance was probably constituted by an imposing rock placed on top of the hill. It also had an imposing wall ring provided with towers and gates. The walls experienced several expansions during the Middle Ages, in relation to the subsequent expansion of the urban settlement developing along the main road artery. Of the original medieval walls is still preserved the massive arch at the foot of the rock, also named Castruccio. Its lower portion was built with blocks of stone and its top portion with bricks. All entrance gates were equipped with exterior gates of fortification and controlled by guard towers.
The “tower houses” constituted a particular kind of architectural building are not very recognizable nowadays. Considerable transformations during the middle ages and in later periods have made them unrecognizable, except for the tower of Castruccio from the thirteenth century. The church stands out as it was built within the castle walls.
The vicarage palace is also a building of great interest in this Tuscan town. It was later used as the palace of the Podesta of Montopoli. It is situated on the main square of the town and is now used as a hotel. In the Middle Ages the building was perhaps the seat of the archbishop and episcopal power. However, since the submission to the rulers of Florence, the building was transformed and its facade adorned, as usual, with their coats of arms in stone or terracotta, some of which still stand in place.
Beneath the main square have recently been discovered circular tanks made of bricks in perfect state of preservation. They were used for collecting rain water channeled from the overlying castle. The water was only used by Montopolesi in times of drought or during sieges of the castle. In front of the Town Hall stands the Tower of Saint Matthew of majestic beauty. It was built in 1431 by Neri Capponi who was sent by the Florentine Republic to further strengthen the western part of the castle.
Montopoli constitutes one of the most interesting Tuscan towns of the Valdarno, or Arno valley that you should visit.

How to get to Montopoli:

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2010 Chocholate Fair in Florence

ClairPhillys — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:35:18 +0000

From February 4 to the 7th Florence in Tuscany is hosting the 2010 Chocolate Fair in Piazza Santa Croce, in the heart of the city. The yearly event is much awaited by chocolate lovers. Even if one does not have a sweet tooth, the fair offers many events and stages to learn more about chocolate and entertain visitors in the splendid setting of one the most beautiful squares of Florence. A fun and welcoming atmosphere awaits you. The almost 40 artisans of chocolate from all over Italy are ready to welcome you with their creations and innovations.
The chocolate fair starts on the 4th, but it will be introduced by a dinner at 9pm on the evening of the third of February with cocoa as the main spice or ingredient. If you would like to participate, the price if 35 euros per person including beverages at the Ragazzi di Sipario restaurant, and reservation is mandatory at info@fieradelcioccolato.it
On the 4th the fair will open at 10am with a photo gallery on chocolate workmanship and one on cocoa cultivation in Cameroon. At 3pm you will be able to taste chocolate through a guided sampling on the history of chocolate titled “When Cocoa Became Chocolate”. Free of charge, limited to 30 people, reservations at info@fieradelcioccolato.it. The evening will be over with an interesting vegan aperitif titled Chocolate Vegan Finger Food.
On the 5th the day will start on the Santa Croce parvis, where participants will be given a gentle gymnastics lesson followed by bread and chocolate offered to all. Limited to 30 people, reservations at info@fieradelcioccolato.it. At 4pm will follow a demonstration of chocolate in cuisine titled “The Simplicity of Chocolate” with tastings. Free and limited to 20 people, reservations at info@fieradelcioccolato.it. At 7,15pm the Teatro della Pergola in Via della Pergola will accommodate those who love to dance.
The day of the 6th will start again with gentle gymnastics on the Santa Croce parvis. Followed by bread and chocolate, limited to 30 people, reservations at info@fieradelcioccolato.it. At 2pm on the same parvis there will be a Medieval Sward Challenge simulation, that will actively interact with spectators. At 7,15pm the Teatro della Pergola is again open to dancers.
February 7th, the last day of the fair, will start at 11am in the sampling area, where 4 chocolate master will be interviewed on the art of chocolate-making. Free samplings will follow. At 3pm in the same sampling area will be staged a demonstrations on the consistency changes and temperature contrasts of chocolate during the elaboration process. Free but limited to 30 people, reservations at info@fieradelcioccolato.it.

Chocolate is good for your mood, heart, blood pressure. Florence is good for your knowledge, romanticism, sense of beauty and relaxation. You have no excuses not to be at the chocolate fair in Florence!

Here some pictures of the 2009 edition:

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Abandoned Cathedrals Near Prato and Arezzo

ClairPhillys — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:03:50 +0000

Abbazia San Giusto al Pinone
The abbey is a remarkable religious building example from the Twelfth century. It was the seat of a small monastic community. The outer walls of the church testify to its long phase of construction. The arch of the portal and the mullioned window in green and white marble over the door were influenced by the Romanesque style from Prato and Pistoia. The crypt, which has undergone restructuring over time, is remarkable and only accessible from the outside. This abbey was of considerable importance in the medieval period since it was located on a primary route. A curious detail about the abbey is that during the winter season the bell, called “the Lost”, served the purpose of guiding pilgrims and travelers in distress.

Abbazia di San Martino in Campo
The imposing and elegant apse structure is on the fringes of a thick forest. In 1140 it was already mentioned as a Vallombrosan Monastery. Suggestive primitives depicted on pillars in cloister and the remaining traces of numerous frescoes that decorated the interior of the church. On the beautiful sandstone portal from the Fourteenth century, is set the emblem of Matteo Frescobaldi, then abbot of the monastery. In the sacristy there is a fresco of the Florentine school depicting an enthroned Virgin Mary.

Former Soffena Abbey
The Abbey of Soffena was built in the Eleventh century. It rises on the ruins of an ancient castle, of which only traces remain to these days. From 1090 began the work of transformation and the walls were all frescoed. At the end of the work the Pope Eugenius IV granted special sin indulgences to those who had visited the new Church of San Salvatore in Soffera. In the early Eighteenth century the Abbey was adapted to the style of the time. All the frescos were whitewashed and replaced with altars and stuccoes in Baroque style. When Leopold in 1779 redistributed many holdings of the Vatican to the people, the building was sold to private individuals who devoted it to various uses. The Abbey was soon reduced in a state of abandonment that lasted until it was acquired by the Italian government, and it underwent a restoration that began in 1960 and was concluded in 1968. The whole building was interested in the restoration, which have also recovered the original and important cycles of frescoes found under the Baroque stuccoes.
The former Abbey is a monument open to visitors. It contains important frescoes from the late Gothic and early Renaissance. After the visit inside the church, a side door leads to the elegant cloister renewed in all its parts.

The map to ind the Abbeys near Prato and Arezzo:

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Buonconvento near Siena

ClairPhillys — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:47:59 +0000

The medieval town of Buonconvento is enclosed by a brick wall with hanging arches on top. Built in 1379 by orders of the Governors of Siena it was originally fitted with only two doors along the main street. The Porta Senese on the north side, towards Siena, which still has the original woodwork with fittings, and Porta Romana to the south, destroyed in 1944 by the retreating Germans.
The town has remained virtually unchanged for centuries, protected by the moat and battlements of the Guelph wall ring, the borough has changed considerably in the 19th century with the construction of buildings behind the walls, including the Theater of the Risorti. The oldest nucleus of town is crossed from north to south by Soccini street, named in memory of the family that counted many illustrious members among which were lawyers and two heretics. The latter founded doctrinal organizations of various heretical movements developed during the Sixteenth century, who took the name of Socinianism.
The City of Buonconvento houses three museums on its territory. All are very important and of considerable interest both for an audience of tourists and for an audience of enthusiasts and scholars. The Museum of Sharecropping of Siena, the Museum of Sacred Art of the Val d’Arbia and the Oratory of the Confraternity of Mercy are to be visited.

The church of Saint Peter and Paul is one of the most important monuments of Buonconvento. Historical news report that in 1313 in this church the Emperor Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor, died. A small marble stone, placed on the left side of the facade carved with a cross and engraved with the date 1103, may tell us about the year of its founding. In the Eighteenth century the interiors of the Church were completely renovated in neo-Classical style, while the current facade of brick, with ornamental travertine, was completed in 1723; finally the present tower was rebuilt in the early 1800s. Inside there are some colorful art works by the Sienese school, including a panel depicting the Madonna and Child, painted by Matteo di Giovanni in the Fifteenth century, a panel painted by Pietro di Francesco Orioli from the Fifteenth century, and a fresco by Sano di Pietro from the Fifteenth century depicting the coronation of the Virgin.

Getting to Buonconvento:

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