Anqua: Villa di Anqua, church and routes in the hilly landscape

Anqua between hills and history

Villa di Anqua stands on the summit of a hill southwest of Radicondoli. Its architectural complex is grouped around an inner courtyard and comprises the large palazzo-like manor house as well as smaller buildings. For visitors interested in architecture, its appeal lies in the combination of its striking hilltop location, inner courtyard, and buildings of different sizes.

The rural settlement and its church

The rural settlement of Anqua probably developed around a church. Anqua and San Bartolomeo are mentioned in the tithe registers of the Diocese of Volterra from 1275–1277 and 1302–1303.

The Chiesa dei Santi Rufo e Bartolomeo stands in Anqua. It dates back to the 16th century and stands on the foundations of a significantly older church. Its interior consists of a single hall with a coffered ceiling. It contains a marble high altar and an altarpiece depicting Saint Bartholomew.

Hiking to a stream, protected area and ruins

A hiking route leads from Anqua across the Rimaggio stream into the protected Parco delle Carline. A CAI hiking route reaches the ruins of the old chapel and the small cemetery of Elci; from there, there is a view of the castle.

Mountains and landscape in the surrounding area

The mountains in the immediate vicinity of Anqua include Poggio di Montieri and Poggio Casalone. Poggio Montecchi and Poggio le Soline are located in the area around Anqua. Further afield, the ruins of Castello di Elci stand on a rocky spur between oak and holm-oak forests and the Pavone and Cecina rivers.

Historical destinations in the wider regional area

The ruins of the Canonica di San Nicolò a Montieri are located in the immediate vicinity of Anqua. In the wider regional area around Anqua are Castello di Montarrenti, the historic site of Miniere di Rama, and Castiglion Che Dio Sol Sa.

A cycling stage with two climbs

For cyclists, the La via da Belforte ad Anqua stage adds another aspect of the landscape and route planning to the picture. It has two climbs: one at Radicondoli and one at Anqua. If you include this stage in your considerations, these two climb points are precisely what matters when choosing the route.

Plan your accommodation according to your interests

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for your trip to Anqua, you can assess the location according to your focus: architecture at Villa di Anqua, church history at the Chiesa dei Santi Rufo e Bartolomeo, hiking routes along the Rimaggio, in the Parco delle Carline and at Elci, or the two climbs of the La via da Belforte ad Anqua stage. This allows you to base your choice of location on the topics you actually want to explore.

Other destinations

Siena, Colle di Val dElsa, Scalvaia, Vagliagli, Chiusdino, Trequanda, Bibbiano and Isola D'arbia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Siena.