Sarteano – Etruscan History and Thermal Waters

Sarteano combines history, Etruscan archaeology, thermal waters and festivals. At its center is the Castello di Sarteano: the first known document mentioning it dates from 1038. The Cassero has four floors and a final terrace; a travertine spiral staircase with 134 steps runs through the building.

Castle, Travertine and Local History

The castle stands on a massive travertine rock and is surrounded by lush vegetation and centuries-old holm oaks. These now form a nature park. At the castle, the clean lines of the Cassero meet travertine, old trees and a distinctive landscape character.

Etruscan Finds and Notable Buildings

An important cultural site is the Sarteano Civic Archaeological Museum in the 16th-century Palazzo Gabrielli. It preserves finds from local Etruscan necropolises dating from the 9th to the 1st century BC. On display are canopic urns, Etruscan and Attic painted pottery, as well as ossuaries made of fetid stone. The museum also includes a life-size reconstruction of the painted Etruscan tomb Tomba della Quadriga Infernale, discovered in 2003 in the Necropolis delle Pianacce.

The Tomba della Quadriga Infernale is carved five metres deep into travertine. Its twenty-metre-long entrance corridor features vivid paintings on white plaster. They depict a chariot drawn by two lions and two griffins and driven by a demon, possibly Charun. Two further religious buildings complete the historical picture: the Collegiata di San Lorenzo dates from the early 13th century, has a Renaissance façade and a Latin-cross floor plan. The Chiesa di San Francesco was founded in the first half of the 14th century and has a travertine façade dating from 1480.

Festivals, Water and Walking Trails

The Giostra del Saracino takes place in Sarteano every year on 15 August as a historical re-enactment of ancient equestrian tournaments. Before the event, the Contrade parade through Sarteano in historical costumes with an ox-drawn wagon; the wagon carries the Palio. The Sarteano Jazz & Blues festival also takes place every August in Sarteano’s historic center.

For a different travel experience, there is the Parco delle Piscine. It has three pools fed by continuously flowing water at a temperature of approximately 24°C; the water flows over impressive cascades. The Piscine di Sarteano are fed by thermomineral water from the Santa Lucia spring, which has a constant temperature of approximately 24°C. If you would like to combine culture and exercise, the Via dei Mulini begins at Piazza Domenico Bargagli in Sarteano. The short, family-friendly route is suitable for relaxed walks. The Anello delle Pianacce circular trail leads to the Necropolis delle Pianacce, an important Etruscan archaeological site in the Sarteano area.

Getting There and Regional Specialities

From the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme motorway exit, the route to Sarteano follows the SS478 for approximately 10 kilometres. For the regional context, the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano e dei Sapori della Valdichiana Senese, to which Sarteano belongs, is also relevant. The route is associated with Vino Nobile and with wine cellars carved into rock and tuff. When planning accommodation in Sarteano, this makes it possible to consider historical sightseeing, Etruscan sites, thermal waters, walks and regional wine culture as different focal points.

Another place to include in your travel plans is Castiglioncello del Trinoro.

For the overarching travel overview: Siena.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Mensano, Sinalunga, Castiglione D'orcia, San Gimignano, Chianciano Terme, Buonconvento, Vagliagli.