A Complete Museum's list of Valdichiana Senese, Tuscany

THE FIRST HUMAN SETTLEMENTS IN THE AREA DATE BACK TO OVER 40.000 YEARS AGO, BUT IT WAS THE BLOSSOMING OF THE ETRUSCAN CIVILISATION BEFORE AND THE REINASSANCE THEN TO MAKE THE TERRITORY UNIQUE. EACH VILLAGE OF VALDICHIANA SENESE IS AN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM, BUT THERE ARE MANY MUSEUM WITH UNIQUE FEATURES THAT HOSTS PRECIOUS TREASURES.

CETONA

BELVERDE NATURAL ARCHEOLOGIC PARK AND ARCHEODROME – LOC. BELVERDE, CETONA (SI)

The green of the Archaeological Park hides caves inhabited by Neanderthal man thousands of years ago, while at the Archeodromo [Archaeological Path], a real prehistoric village was rebuilt for educational purposes.
www.preistoriacetona.it – +39 0578 239219

CIVIC MUSEUM OF THE PREHISTORY OF MONTE CETONA – VIA ROMA, 37 CETONA (SI)

The museum houses an impressive display of artifacts that testify to the various stages of human settlement in the territory of Cetona, from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age.
www.preistoriacetona.it – +39 0578 269416

CHIANCIANO TERME

ARCHEOLOGICAL CIVIC MUSEUM – VIALE DANTE, CHIANCIANO TERME

The Etruscan civilization lives on in thematic sections that illustrate all aspects of the life and death of the ancient inhabitants of Tuscany. The museum has the largest collection of Etruscan canopic jars in Italy and in the world.
www.museoetrusco.it – +39 0578 30471

CHIUSI

ETRUSCAN NATIONAL MUSEUM – VIA PORSENNA, 93 CHIUSI (SI)

Sarcophagi, canopic jars, buccheri, bronzes of rare quality and historical items of great beauty make this museum one of the most important and prestigious ones in Italy for the study and knowledge of the Etruscan civilization. The entrance fee includes a visit to the Tomba della Pellegrina and the Tomba del Leone.
www.prolocochiusi.it  – +39 0578 20177

MONKEY’S TOMB – FOLLOW SIGNS FOR CHIUSI LAKE (SI)

It is the best known tomb of the necropolis of Chiusi, and it dates back to the early fifth century BC. The paintings that decorate the walls of the vestibule depict playful scenes, such as a chariot race and performances by acrobats, wrestlers and musicians. Tied to a bush, you can see the monkey that gives its name to the tomb. If you want to visit the tomb, it is advisable to book the service.
www.prolocochiusi.it – +39 0578 20177

COLLE’S TOMB – FOLLOW SIGNS FOR THE CEMETERY OF CHIUSI (SI)

The walls of the tomb display scenes similar to those of the Tomba della Scimmia: a procession of dancers, athletes, wrestlers, chariots, and a banquet scene. The themes are typical of the first archaic period, i.e. early fifth century BC. If you want to visit the tomb, it is advisable to book the service.
www.prolocochiusi.it – +39 0578 20177

CIVIC MUSEUM – UNDERGROUND CITY – VIA IL CIMINA, 2 CHIUSI (SI)

About 120 meters of underground galleries are home to the only Italian exhibition dedicated to the Etruscan funerary epigraphy: an exceptional collection of about 300 urns and 200 engraved tomb covers.
www.prolocochiusi.it – +39 334 6266852

MUSEUM OF CATHEDRAL AND PORSENNA’S LABYRINTH – PIAZZA DUOMO, 7 CHIUSI (SI)

The reputation of the Museum is tied to the wonderful collection of Benedictine illuminated manuscripts, dating back to the second half of the fifteenth century, from the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore; this museum gives you access to the underground passageways of the Porsenna’s Labyrinth.
www.prolocochiusi.it – +39 0578 226490

CATERINA AND S. MUSTIOLA CATACOMB – VIA CASSIA AURELIA, CHIUSI SCALO (SI)

Chiusi boasts two catacomb complexes: that of St. Catherine of Alexandria, which takes its name from the hill above (on the top of which there is a chapel dedicated to this Saint), and that of St. Mustiola Martyr, larger and more impressive. The visit must be booked at the Cathedral Museum.
www.prolocochiusi.it – +39 0578 227667 (Tourism Office)

MONTEPULCIANO

CIVIC MUSEUM PINACOTECA CROCIANI – VIA RICCI, 10 MONTEPULCIANO (SI)

The rich archaeological section, together with that dedicated to splendid terracotta works by Della Robbia, flank the heart of the museum, i.e. the art gallery, where, along with the seventeenth and eighteenth century paintings, you can admire a Gentleman Portrait attributed to Caravaggio.
www.museocivicomontepulciano.it – +39 0578 717300

PIENZA

PALAZZO PICCOLOMINI – PIAZZA PIO II, 2 PIENZA (SI)

The first floor of the historical dwelling of Pope Pius II is open to the visitors, and houses the sumptuous apartments where, up to 1962, generations of Piccolominis have lived. Particularly striking are the armory, the library, the bedroom of Pope Pius II, and the loggia with a splendid view over the Val d’Orcia.
www.palazzopiccolominipienza.it – +39 0577 286300

PALAZZO BORGIA – MUSEO DIOCESANO – CORSO IL ROSSELLINO, 30 PIENZA (SI)

It is one of the most important museums in the province of Siena, by quantity and quality of the items preserved in its 11 rooms; among them, remarkable are the paintings of Tuscan art from the twelfth to the eighteenth century, the Flemish tapestries, silverware and the magnificent Cope of Pius II.
www.palazzoborgia.it – +39 0578 749905

SAN CASCIANO DEI BAGNI

STANZE CASSIANENSI – PALAZZO COMUNALE DI SAN CASCIANO DEI BAGNI

The exhibition is structured into two levels, and preserves artifacts from the tombs of the Necropoli della Balena, dating back to the first half of the second century BC, as well as a votive deposit found inside of the spring of Doccia della Testa.
www.comune.sancascianodeibagni.siena.it – www.sancascianoliving.it – +39 0578 58141 – +39 0578 58921

SARTEANO

ARCHEOLOGICAL CIVIC MUSEUM – VIA ROMA, 24 SARTEANO (SI)

The museum is located in the sixteenth-century Palazzo Gabrielli and houses many treasures from the Etruscan era, from the nearby necropolis. Do not miss the faithful reconstruction of the Tomba della Quadriga Infernale [Tomb of the Infernal Chariot].
www.museosarteano.it – +39 0578 269261 – +39 0578 269212

CASTLE OF SARTEANO – HISTORICAL CENTRE, SARTEANO (SI)

After crossing the drawbridge, the castle takes the visitor to the suggestions of the life of garrisons, including chemins de ronde on the side towers and steep stairs that lead to the top, where you can enjoy a great view.
www.sarteanoliving.it – +39 0578 20530

TOMB OF THE INFERNAL CHARIOT – NECROPOLIS “LE PIANACCE”, SARTEANO (SI)

One of the most significant finds in the field of Etruscology in the last decades. The tomb, excavated in travertine stone, is decorated with a series of paintings of great originality, brightly-colored and kept in a surprising way.
www.museosarteano.it – +39 0578 269261

SALA D’ARTE DOMENICO BECCAFUMI – CHIESA DI SAN MARTINO, SARTEANO (SI)

It hosts the most important work of Domenico Beccafumi “L’Annunciazione”, with a collection of paintings from the ancient church of San Martino and sacred furniture from the XIV to the XVIII century of Sarteano’s churches and surroundings.
www.sarteanoliving.it – +39 0578 20530

TREQUANDA

TERRACOTTA MUSEUM OF PETROIO – VIA VALGELATA, 10 PETROIO-TREQUANDA (SI)

The halls of the museum collect ancient artifacts of terracotta items, and prove evidence of the traditional processing methods, which constitute a bridge between past and present, between traditional and innovative forms.
www.comune.trequanda.si.it – +39 0577 665188

ARCHEOLOGICAL COLLECTION “G. PALLAVICINI” – SALA “DINO GALLUZZI”

Via Taverne, Trequanda (SI)
It is a magnificent private collection donated to the Municipality of Trequanda by Giancarlo Pallavicini. The collection includes clay, glass and metal artifacts, which date back to the period from the ninth century BC to the second century A.D., including pottery of Greek origin.
www.comune.trequanda.si.it – +39 0577 662092 – +39 340 2478220