Chiusi: Etruscan History, Cathedral and the Sentiero della Bonifica

Chiusi between the Etruscan era and the Chiana

Chiusi can be discovered through culture, underground history, local cuisine and outdoor activities. This gives you a varied picture of the town: in the Cathedral of San Secondiano, you will encounter reused Roman columns, while museums preserve Etruscan finds and medieval book art. The Sentiero della Bonifica complements these historical impressions with a long path along the Canale Maestro della Chiana.

Cathedral and art-historical treasures

The Cathedral of San Secondiano has eighteen reused Roman columns. Each of these columns is designed differently and bears a capital from a different stylistic tradition. The presbytery also contains a mosaic from the 4th to 5th century, recovered from an older basilica. Both details give the church interior particular historical depth, without requiring you to focus on a single era.

The Cathedral Museum of Chiusi displays a collection of illuminated Benedictine codices from the second half of the 15th century. The codices come from Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey. Another highlight is the Museo Etrusco di Chiusi, founded in 1871 to display the numerous finds recovered from the Chiusi area. In the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Chiusi, the Canopo di Dolciano, made of bronze and terracotta and dating from the late 7th century BC, deserves particular attention.

Underground evidence of Chiusi

The tunnels of the labyrinth in Chiusi date from the 4th century BC and probably served for waste disposal, drainage and the town's water supply. The labyrinth also includes a monumental Etruscan-Roman cistern. Its walls were carved into sandstone; the cistern dates from the 1st century BC. The underground structures make past approaches to water management and urban infrastructure an immediate part of a visit to Chiusi.

Exploring by bike or on foot

The Sentiero della Bonifica is an approximately 62-kilometre-long unpaved path connecting Arezzo with Chiusi and running along the Canale Maestro della Chiana. It is suitable for cycling and walking and is closed to motor traffic. The Sentiero della Bonifica is accessible from Chiusi Scalo or Chiusi Città. This also allows you to discover the town from a perspective that is not focused solely on museums and historic buildings.

Brustico at Lago di Chiusi

Local cuisine includes Brustico, a dish made with lake fish. The fish is cooked over an open flame using reeds from the lake, then filleted and served with oil, salt, pepper and lemon. Brustico is served in restaurants on the shores of Lago di Chiusi as a starter or second course.

Practical guidance for your visit

The opening hours of the Cathedral Museum of Chiusi and the catacombs may vary. This note concerns two different cultural destinations and is therefore part of realistic day planning, along with deciding whether to focus on collections, underground structures, the path along the canal or the cuisine at Lago di Chiusi.

Discover more destinations

Chiusdino, Valiano, Trequanda, Isola D'arbia, Fonteregina, Siena, Piancastagnaio and Sarteano

For the overarching travel overview: Siena.