Volterra
Forming one side of Volterra's central square, the Palazzo Pretorio was the seat of the local mayor. From it sprouts one of the town's oldest towers, the…
Must-see attractions in Central Tuscany
Siena
Built by order of Cosimo de' Medici in 1563, this fortified brick castle was decommissioned as a military barracks in the late 18th century and converted…
Museo Civico e Diocesano d'Arte Sacra
Montalcino
Occupying the former convent of the neighbouring Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, this collection of religious art from the town and surrounding region includes a…
Museo della Comunità di Montalcino e del Brunello
Val d'Orcia
Located 4km southeast of Montalcino on the Fattoria dei Barbi wine estate (one of the oldest in the region), this Brunello-focused museum has exhibits…
Siena
Water first bubbled forth from the Fonte Gaia in the upper part of the Campo in 1346. The fountain's panels are reproductions; the severely weathered…
Museo Archeologico del Chianti Senese
Chianti
Etruscan archaeological finds from the local area are on display at this museum in the town's medieval rocca (fortress). Room 4 showcases artefacts found…
Montalcino
This imposing 14th-century structure was expanded under the Medici dukes and now dominates Montalcino's skyline. You can sample and purchase local wines…
Volterra
The 14th-century Fortezza Medicea, later altered by Lorenzo Il Magnifico, is nowadays a prison (admission: one felony), but the 'Nuova Fortezza' within…
Montepulciano
At the upper end of Piazza Savonarola is the Colonna del Marzocca, erected in 1511 to confirm Montepulciano's allegiance to Florence. The stone lion atop…
Museo d'Arte Sacra di San Francesco di Greve in Chianti
Chianti
Located on a steep street off Via Roma, this former convent has a modest collection of art and an exterior terrace overlooking the surrounding countryside…
San Gimignano
The crumbling shell of the town's 14th-century fortress commands views across the valley and has a small playground and plenty of space to picnic in. It's…
Siena
Built between 1417 and 1428, this arched loggia with its distinctive sculptures is located on the Croce del Travaglio, from which the three main roads of…
San Gimignano
Youngsters love this handmade ceramic re-creation of the medieval city, complete with houses, streets, towers and people as they would have looked in 1300…
Montepulciano
Several mansions line Via di Gracciano nel Corso, including this palace, which has recycled Etruscan and Latin inscriptions and reliefs incorporated into…
Siena
Dedicated to the patron saint of travellers and a popular stop on the medieval Via Francigena pilgrims' route, this church dates from the 11th century but…
Siena
This handsome Renaissance style structure next to the Chiesa di San Martino was commissioned by Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini) and built in 1462.
Museo Civico 'La Città Sotterranea'
Chiusi
Subterranean passages filled with the city museum's collection of monumental inscriptions (mainly urns and grave tiles) can be accessed on guided visits.
Montepulciano
Michelozzo's Chiesa di Sant'Agostino features a lunette above the entrance holding a terracotta Madonna and Child, John the Baptist and St Augustine.
Montepulciano
This medieval tower house is topped by the town clock and the hunched figure of Pulcinella (Punch, of Punch and Judy fame), which strikes the hours.
Chiesa di Sant'Andrea Apostolo
Siena
This 12th-century church was one of the original pilgrim churches along Via Francigena but was heavily reconstructed in the 18th century.
Montepulciano
Montepulciano's Chiesa di San Francesco dates from the 13th century, but was largely reconstructed in the 17th century.
San Gimignano
A late-13th-century structure featuring the 51m Torre della Rognosa. It's not open to the public.
Montepulciano
Antonio da Sangallo (Sangallo il Vecchio) designed his handsome palazzo. It isn't open to the public.
Montepulciano
This late-Renaissance palazzo was designed by Giacomo da Vignola. It isn't open to the public.
Chianti
These four Etruscan burial chambers, dating from the 6th century BC, are located off the main road at the northern edge of town. Devotees of Etruscan…
San Gimignano
Occupying a decommissioned 16th-century church, this modest museum has a mournful collection of stuffed birds that dates back to 1886 and looks it.
