Cetona: a medieval village of Etruscan origin

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Cetona is a small village situated at 384 metres above sea level at the feet of the mount Cetona (1,148 meters) of vulcanic origin. The zone was inhabited since the Etruscan and Roman age. During the Middle Ages (15th century) Cetona was fortified from Siena, of these works still now remains, the rocca, three gates and remarkable remainders of the senese building town-walls. In the past the Rocca was defended from at least three towers, but today only the ancient keep remain visible.

THE HISTORICAL CENTER

For its modest dimensions, the visit of Cetona is lend to a beautiful and short walk, after to have parked the car in one of the parkings (among other things very good reported by indications), is entered in the main public square of the village, Piazza Garibaldi after to have completely crossed it until the circular tower (Tower of the Rivellino), the via Roma is taken.

Here is the Palazzo Minutelli – Cioli center of the Town hall and the Civic Museum for the Preistoria of Monte Cetona, situated in via Rome, 37 (Hour: June-September: 9-13; 17-19 closed monday; October-May: saturdays and prefestive 16-18; Sunday and festive 9,30-12,30; the other days on reservation for groups of minimum 10 persons). This is an interesting museum that documents the several phases of the human peopling of the territory around Monte Cetona, beginning from the Paleolithic until the end of the Age of the Bronze.

Beyond the museum, we arrived in the square of the Collegiata (13th century) where is an ancient reservior sink. Continuing we reach the the arc of the Brugi and turn in via dello Steccato a lookout on the mountain and the campaign is reached. Returning on the own steps begins the climb towards the Rocca in via of the Fortress where is a lookout that look at the square of the Collegiata, more ahead is another panoramic point that shows the roofs of the village. Here is also the entrance gate to the Rocca but it’s not visitabile because a private property.

TO VISIT IN THE SURROUNDINGS

Different and interesting visits can be done in the vicinity of Cetona, one leads to the Monastery of San Francesco (2 km), it was founded according the tradition, in 1212 by San Francesco d’Assisi himself.

Another interesting place is the Romitorio or Monastery of Santa Maria a Belvedere (2 km from Cetona; exiting from the main square of Cetona turn on the left for Sarteano then turn on the left for the road of the Mountain until intercrossing the provincial road Sarteano – S.Casciano, at the crossroad turn on the left for Belvedere), the Monastery rises to the feet of an imposing travertine cliff, its construction beginning in 1367, it has beautiful frescoes of 14th century.

Close to the convent, on a wall of rocks, are several caves and the rests of a prehistoric village, today the area has become the naturalistic archaeological Park of Belverde where are localized the main prehistoric settlements: it’s possible to visit some of the cavities that are opened in the travertine walls, adequately illuminated and equipped, as the Cove of San Francesco, the caverns of the Noce and the Poggetto, attended from the man for funereal scopes or of cult, and the rests of the open air village object of recent diggings. Timetable of the park: July-September: 9-13; 16-19 closed monday; October-June: on reservation for groups (minimal 10 persons).

Monte Cetona (6 km): is possible reach the top of the mountain with a road, but in the last part you need to walk to reach the top.

HOW TO GET TO CETONA

Cetona is a small medieval village in Val di Chiana, south-eastern province of Siena, from whose capital is about 90 km away.

The town of Cetona is bordered by the towns of Chiusi (Si), San Casciano dei Bagni (Si) and Sarteano (Si) in Tuscany, and Citta della Pieve (Pg) and Fabro (Tr) in Umbria.

Car: Cetona is easily reached from the A1 exit of Chiusi-Chianciano, once you exit the highway, take right to Chiusi, after 2 km you will find the junction for Cetona, from here are around 9 km.

Road distances from Cetona: Perugia 59 km; Arezzo 73 km; Siena 91 km; Florence 130 km; Rome 171 km.

Bus: Cetona is regularly served by several daily bus services of LFI for nearby towns of Sarteano, Montepulciano, Chianciano Terme and Chiusi. 

Train: The nearest railway station is Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, which is located 8 km away.

Air: The nearest airport is in Florence-Peretola Amerigo Vespucci, which is located 147 km away. The airport of Roma-Fiumicino is 210 km away.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Weekly Market in Cetona: saturday
Piazza Garibaldi 8.00am-1.00pm

Tourist Information Offices
Informazioni e servizi Turistici
Piazza Garibaldi, 63
tel. +390578239143 – fax 0578239143

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• AA. VV. “Toscana” Guide Rosse Touring Club Italiano, 2007
• AA. VV. “Cetona. Parco archeologico naturalistico di Belvedere. Archeodromo” 2007, Silvana

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