Toiano: Green Hills and Historic Buildings

Toiano Among Hills and Historic Buildings

Toiano is a village among green hills in a landscape that appears unchanged over time. Scattered, well-restored farmhouses complement this rural setting. At the same time, several very different historic architectural forms are concentrated here: the Palazzaccio di Toiano with its tower, courtyard and portico; Castello Poggiarello with its crenellated structures and chapel; and Villa Chigi. If, on a trip to Italy, you would like to experience the landscape and built heritage side by side, Toiano provides a clear thematic framework for this. Villa di Toiano lies on the boundary between the municipality of Siena and the municipality of Sovicille, to which it belongs.

Towers, Courtyards and Villas

The Palazzaccio di Toiano has been documented since the 15th century, although some of its structural elements are considerably older. The complex consists of a very tall stone tower with a sloping base, lower buildings and sections of wall enclosing an inner courtyard. The complex also includes a large square portico. A sturdy brick pillar supports it in the center; on either side, four brick cross vaults open up. The sequence of tower, walls, courtyard and vaults gives the Palazzaccio a distinctive architectural form.

Castello Poggiarello has a crenellated tower with a sloping base, as well as a lower, also crenellated building section with several surviving loopholes. In the garden of Castello Poggiarello stands a chapel dedicated to Saint Augustine, built in 1558. The Castello was later transformed from a fortress built to defend the surrounding land and store the harvest into an aristocratic residence. It is located on the road connecting Caldana with San Giusto a Balli. Its development thus combines defensive architectural features, a chapel, land-related functions and the later form of an aristocratic residence.

Villa Chigi is also part of Toiano's architectural profile. It was built in the 17th century and preserves frescoes from 1707 inside. It therefore combines a clearly dated construction period with a similarly dated decorative feature.

Cycling Route and Tasting

The “In bicicletta tra pievi, ville e castelli” route follows an almost entirely low-traffic circular course through the Caldana and Toiano area. Its thematic framework refers to pievi, villas and castles; the Italian term “pievi” means parish churches. In this route theme, getting around is combined with views of cultural and historic buildings in the countryside.

The Fattoria Poggiarello is part of the culinary aspect. It offers the opportunity to register for tastings at its estate in Poggiarello di Toiano. In this way, the buildings and cycling route are complemented by an agriculturally oriented place that can occupy a separate place in your travel planning.

More Destinations in the Same Area

If you would like to add more places to your trip, you will find Gallina, Pienza, Sinalunga, Montegabbro, Colle di Val dElsa, Piazze, Chianciano Terme and Asciano here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Siena.