Civitella in Val di Chiana: Art, History and Landscape
Civitella in Val di Chiana combines medieval architectural history, art and a hilly to mountainous landscape. For those interested in culture, the town’s gates, art and handicrafts are part of Civitella’s cultural heritage. During a stay, the Rocca and fortifications, religious buildings, art, regional baking traditions and birdwatching can be explored as distinct themes. Porta Aretina is a gateway in the medieval fortifications, while Porta Senese is another entrance to the Castello. The Rocca is accessible around the clock every day.
Historical traces in Civitella: gates, church and remembrance
The Church of Santa Maria is a Romanesque building dating back to around the year 1000. Near Porta Senese, another entrance to the Castello, there is a 16th-century tabernacle with a polychrome Madonna and Child from the Robbiana school. The historical themes therefore range from Romanesque religious architecture to religious art at the entrance to the Castello.
The Sala della Memoria in Civitella in Valdichiana was inaugurated in 2004 to mark the 60th anniversary of one of the bloodiest Nazi massacres in Italy. It displays belongings recovered from victims, numerous photographs of the site before and after its destruction during the Second World War, archival documents, historical research and eyewitness accounts.
Art, handicrafts and local specialities
Civitella’s art collection comprises around 200 paintings. The Civica Galleria d’Arte di Civitella in Val di Chiana displays works by artists who took part in the national painting competition Premio Città di Civitella, which was established in 1964. The Sala delle Lance in the Museo del Sarapino displays locally made handicrafts, as well as the costumes worn by the participants and the accessories used for the Giostra del Sarapino. The Galleria therefore focuses on painting, while the Sala delle Lance presents local handicrafts, costumes and accessories from the Giostra.
The regional cuisine also offers a specific local detail: Corolli di Civitella is a typical ring-shaped pastry from the area made with flour, eggs, sugar, lard, yeast and Vin Santo. Alongside the art and historical themes, this ring-shaped pastry provides a culinary connection to the locality. Olive groves and vineyards stretch across the hilly and mountainous landscape around Civitella in Val di Chiana. In addition to its topography, the hilly landscape therefore also has an agricultural character shaped by olive groves and vineyards.
Nature observation at the Ponte a Buriano visitor centre
Several paths lead from the Ponte a Buriano visitor centre to a reed bed and birdwatching hides. Ponte a Buriano is therefore a specific starting point for birdwatching. Those planning to explore this natural area can use the reed bed and birdwatching hides as the destinations along the paths.
Other places to choose from: Tegoleto, Ciggiano, Badia Al Pino, Pieve A Maiano, Albergo.
To the overarching travel overview: Arezzo.
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