Palazzina: Churches, Routes and Historic Places

The history of this area goes back a long way. The Church of San Giovanni in Vescona was located in the area of what is now Pievina and was first documented in 714. The Pieve di S. Ippolito is also mentioned in a document from 714 AD; it is considered one of the oldest churches in the area. If you would like to combine historic traces and varied landscapes on your journey, you will find several distinct ways here to explore the region’s culture and local history.

Sacred Art and Medieval Traces

The Pieve di S. Ippolito has a rectangular nave with traces of a three-aisled basilica. Its Romanesque façade is adorned with a simple round-arched portal. Inside, there is a fresco depicting a “Sacra Conversazione”, which may contain a portrait of Raphael as a young man. The Museo Palazzo Corboli is officially recognised by the Tuscany Region as a “Museum of Regional Importance” and complements the historic churches with another cultural attraction.

Asciano, too, has noteworthy details concentrated in specific buildings and squares. The Basilica di Sant’Agata is a sight to see in Asciano. The Church of San Francesco houses a large altarpiece from the Della Robbia workshop. A 15th-century fountain stands in Piazza del Grano, while the Palazzo del Podestà displays historic coats of arms. On a walk through the town, you can thus experience different forms of sacred art, public architecture, and local history side by side.

Asciano Between Festivals and Regional Traditions

The Via Lauretana passes through Asciano and connects Cortona, Montepulciano, and Siena. The town therefore also appears as a stop along a historic route through the region. In October, L’Eroica brings historic bicycles through the historic centre of Asciano. This non-competitive cycling tour has been held there every year since 1997. Another established part of local life is the Palio dei Ciuchi, which takes place on the town’s streets every Sunday in September.

The market for white truffles is another feature of the region. It includes visits to truffle woods and tastings of dishes made with white truffles. If you would like to discover the culture not only through buildings but also through events and culinary themes, this provides different focal points for planning your trip.

Routes Through Landscape and History

Several routes are available for walks and to enjoy the landscape. The circular route Percorso #2: Asciano leads from Asciano–Monte Oliveto Maggiore (MOM) railway station to Asciano. Along a route beside the ancient mills of Asciano, you can see several mills that have now been converted into private homes, as well as the remains of water channels and weirs. The mills were mostly located along the Bestina watercourse and used water power to mill grain and, in the Middle Ages, also for metalworking.

The Percorso #1: Montalceto route crosses the open landscape typical of the Crete Senesi and then leads into the more densely wooded part of the area. For cyclists, the Arbia–Asciano stage of the Via Lauretana cycle route passes the houses of Vescona and Pievina before reaching Asciano. Along the Via Lauretana, Pievina and its parish church also provide a turnoff to Badia a Rofeno. The various routes therefore offer different highlights, ranging from open landscapes and woodland to local history and cycling routes.

Information for Your Stay

Borgo La Pievina – Pool Villa is located at Strada della Pievina 16, 53041 Palazzina, Italy. In the same historic landscape is the Etruscan necropolis of Poggio Pinci, with underground chamber tombs and long dromoi. Depending on your personal interests, you can therefore include churches, squares, archaeological sites, culinary traditions, and routes for walking or cycling in your plans.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Palazzina, here are the nearby destinations: Chiusure, Arbia, Monte Sante Marie.

For the higher-level travel overview: Asciano.