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Distance of most
important cities around "TENUTA GIOLA"
In Tuscany: Cortona (15 Km), Lucignano (5 km),
Monte San Savino (8 km), Montepulciano (20 km), Pienza (34
Km), Montalcino ( 40km), Trequanda (30 Km), Cetona (33 Km),
Siena (60 km), San Gimignano (75km), Florence (100 km),
Arezzo (30 km)
In Umbria: Perugia (60km), Gubbio, Assisi,
Spoleto, Castiglione del Lago (a 16 Km)
 Montepulciano
This is the largest Comune in the Sienese Valdichiana and
contains six other villages: Abbadia di Montepulciano, Acquaviva,
Gracciano, Montepulciano Stazione, S.Albino and Valiano.
The poet Agnolo Ambrogini (known as "il Poliziano"
from the Latin "mons Politianus") was born here.
The town is said to have been founded by the Etruscan king
Porsenna and exhibits impressive architecture, mainly but
not only Renaissance. Michelozzo, Baldassarre Peruzzi and
Vignola all worked here, as did Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio
who designed the temple of San Biagio. Apart from the wonders
of the historical centre of Montepulciano the tourist would
do well to visit the spa centre at S.Albino. The local economy
is based on agriculture and the town is famous for its Vino
Nobile. In th summer the town hosts the "Cantiere Internazionale
d'arte" and in the mid-Augut holidays the "Bruscello",
a traditional show spoken in rhyme, is performed on the
Cathedral steps. On August 29 a wine barrel race, the "Bravìo",
is run between the different contrade, or districts, of
the town and there is a procession in 13th-century dress.
 Cortona
One of the twelve cities of the Etruscan League-substantial
fragments of its primitive cyclopean defences can still
be seen, incorporated in the medieval walls.
Apart from a few fine Renaissance palaces, the prevailing
character of Cortona's architecture is medieval, conferring
on the steep narrow streets a strong sense of atmosphere.
The city is commandingly situated (altitude 600 metres)
and there are magnificent panoramas to every point of the
compass, embracing the whole of the Val di Chiana.
 Pienza
The town stands on the top of a hill which overlooks the
splendid Val d'Orcia. Enea Silvio Piccolomini was born here
in 1405 and when he became pope Pius II in 1458 he decided
to transform his modest village into the perfect town, an
admirable example of the humanistic period, and entrusted
the design to Bernardo Rossellino.
Piazza Pio II is intact, incorporanting the most rigorous
of Renaissance perspective, and containing the cathedral
and Palazzo Piccolomini.
The town's main axis is Corso Rossellino, lined with houses
built by the nobility in the 14th century. Pienza is a mainly
agricultural centre, particularly famous for its pecorino
cheese. The traditional cheese show, "fiera del cacio"
takes place on the first Sunday in September. The flower
show "Pienza e i fiori" takes place in mid May.
Also to be visited is Monticchiello, made famous by its
"Teatro povero", a new play anacted each summer
by the local inhabitants.
 Castiglione
del Lago
Etruscan times the Castiglione area, ruled by Chiusi, was
primarily dedicated to the production of wheat. Around the
7th century A.D. the promontory proved to be a formidable
defensive outpost for the Byzantine Duchy of Perugia against
the neighbouring Longobard territory of Tuscany. Later Arezzo,
Cortona and Perugia fought for the possession of Castiglione,
which was finally subjected by Perugia.
In the 1617 Castiglione became a duchy until 1648, when
the area was taken over by the Apostolic Chamber of the
Papal States. Rocca del Leone. This fortress, probably designed
by Frate Elia Coppi, was built in 1247. The Pentagonal walls
are sectioned off by four square and one triangular towers.
Palazzo della Corgna. The 16th-century architect Jacopo
Barozzi, called "Il Vignola", built this structure
incorporanting the ancient houses of the formerly-powerful
Baglioni family and the existing defensive walls.
The covered battlements that connect the Palace to the Fortress
add to the typically feudal atmosphere of the place. The
Niccolò Circignani, called "il Pomarancio",
began painting in 1574 in the "Hall of the Feats of
Ascanio della Corgna" and continued in the "Hall
of the Feats of Ascanio della Corgna" and continued
in the "Hall of the Judgements of Paris" and in
the "Hall of the Fall of Phaeton". He and Giovanni
Antonio Pandolfi painted the "Room of the Aeneid".
The bizarre decoration of the "Room of the Metamorphoses"
are particularly interesting.
 Archaeological
Itinerary in Valdichiana
Cortona’s etruscan power is witnessed by the still
standing imposing city walls. Several Etruscan tombs were
found in the valley. We will mention the Tanella di Pitagora,
the Melone I in Camucia and the Melone II at Sodo from the
6th century B.C. In the Melone II a terraced altar with
steps decorated with impressive stone sculptures has been
brought to light.
Museo dell’accademia Etrusca in Palazzo Casali
OPENING TIMES: 10 - 19 CLOSED MONDAY
The museum includes an archaeological section (Etruscan
statuettes, two bronze statuettes dating respectively to
the 3rd and the 2nd century BC, Cypriot, Greek and Roman
pottery); an Egyptian collection with items dating from
2,000 BC (two mummies wrapped in bands and two wooden sarcophaguses);
a medieval and Renaissance section (ivory works, illuminated
books and furniture); 15th to 19th-century of paintings,
among which works by Pinturicchio, L. Signorelli, A. Romano.
Remarkable exhibit: a 5th-century BC Etruscan bronze pendant,
60 cm large and weighing 58 kg, found in 1840 in the Cortona's
country.
Museo Diocesano
Opening time: 9-13 and 15-17 (form Oct. to March); 9.30-13
and 15.30-19 (from April to Sept.) Closed Monday.
this museum exhibits a number of important paintings by
14th to 16th-century Tuscan artists, alongside goldsmithery
and church furnishings from the Cathedral and other churches
of the diocese. Remarkable paintings: the Madonna with Child
and Saints and the Annunciation by Beato Angelico, and various
works by L. Signorelli and P. Lorenzetti.
Abbazia di Farneta
Opening time: open on request
Attached to the Benedictine Abbey of Farneta (11th century),
this museum consists of two sections: an archaeological
collection (a Roman tomb, three Etruscan travertine urns,
a holy-water stoup, several Roman sculptures) alongside
two 14th-century terracotta statues portraing St. Peter
and St. Paul, and 16 paintings dating to the 17th century.
The other section is devoted to palaeontology with fossil
remains of Pliocenic fauna (a Helephas Meridionalis, a Helephas
Antiquus).
In Castiglion Fiorentino in the Pinacoteca Comunale Opening
time: 10.00-12.30 there are priceless goldworks of the 13th
and 14th centuries and paintings by Margarito, Bartolomeo
della Gatta , Vasari , Jacopo del Sellaio Taddeo Gaddi
Monte San Savino : Museo delle Ceramiche Opening time: 10.00-12.30
th.and tue. And Sat –sun- 16.oo –19.30
Lucignano in the Palazzo Comunale Opening time: 10.00-12.00
And 15 –18, the walls of which are rich with frescoes
of the Siennese and Aretine schools, a small museum has
been set up. The outstanding item in a collection of valuable
works and furnishing is a reliquary, a superb and unique
example of late-Gothic goldwork of Arezzo “ Albero
di San Francesco
 Religious
Itinerary in Valdichiana
From Cortona to Civitella
In Cortona city: Basilica di Santa Margherita a church dedicated
to St. Margaret where the body is conserved.
Chiesa di San Niccolò (15th century with an extraordinary
work by Luca Signorelli)
Chiesa di Santa Maria Nuova This church was begun by Cristofanello
in late –Renaissance style during the second half
oh the 16th century
Convento delle Celle a typical stone- constructed Franciscan
convent . It was founded by Saint Francis
S. Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio this remarkable Renaissance
church, was designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini
Chiesa di Sant’Angiolo a Metelliano this Romanesque
church dates back to the 11th century
Abbazia di Farneta Founded by the Benedectines between the
9th and the 10th century.
In Castiglion Fiorentino City .
The historic centre consists entirely of dignified mansions,
both sacred and secular, among which the most notable are
the Gothic church of San Francesco, the Collegiate church
and the Chiesa del Gesù all of them rich in art works
of high value, and Chiesa della Madonna del Rivaio 17th
century. A short distance beyond the walls is the Chiesa
della Consolazione (renaissance) of octagonal plan
Foiano della Chiana City a few Renaissance buildings survive.
The 15th century churches of San Michele , San Francesco
and S. Martino contain several Della Robbia panels and 18th
century Collegiate Church
Lucignano city Collegiate of S. Michele Arcangelo 16th century
, San Biagio Church and gothic church of San Francesco .A
short distance beyond the walls is the Santuario di S. Maria
delle Querce
Marciano city Church of SS. Stefano and Andrea, and Chiesa
di S. Lucia
Monte San savino city, there is a good deal of medieval
and Renaissance architecture, notable the church of San
Giovanni Battista ( with Sansovino doorway) the gothic church
of Sant’agostino ( 14th century, with works of art
of the 15th century by Vasary ) A short distance beyond
the walls is the Santuario di Santa Maria delle Vertighe.
Civitella in Valdichiana , chiesa di S. Maria Assunta and
Chiesa di San Bartolomeo in Badia.
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