Discover Castel del Piano: Art, Monte Amiata and Holiday Apartments

Historic Centre with Art and Churches

Castel del Piano combines a distinctive townscape with the landscapes of Monte Amiata. The historic centre preserves narrow, cobbled streets, stone houses, loggias and small squares. At the same time, Castel del Piano lies on the edge of a high plateau: uphill are chestnut and beech forests, while downhill are olive groves, vineyards and fruit trees. This makes it a destination where a holiday apartment can be combined with the town’s history, nature and regional discoveries.

The first official mention of Castel del Piano appears in documents from the Abbey of Monte Amiata dating from 890, under the name “Casale Plana”. Palazzo Nerucci is a 16th-century building that houses an art collection, including the Vegni Collection, donated in 1883. The historic town walls include the Porta dell’Orologio, with its clock and bell. Porta Pianese is also known as Porta Amiata and Porta Castiglionese and is a historic gate of Castel del Piano along the town’s old walls.

The Chiesa della Natività di Maria was built between the 17th and 19th centuries and has a Latin-cross floor plan. It preserves works by Giuseppe Nicola Nasini as well as a historic 18th-century organ. The Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento is also known as Chiesa Piccina and is a medieval single-nave church with works by Francesco Nasini.

The Chiesa di San Leonardo and the Chiesa della SS. Madonna delle Grazie add further distinctive features. San Leonardo dates from the 12th century and was restored in the neo-Gothic style in 1915. Its furnishings include 15th- and 16th-century frescoes as well as Renaissance details, including trachyte surrounds. The Chiesa della SS. Madonna delle Grazie houses a 15th-century image of the Madonna attributed to the Sienese painter Sano di Pietro.

Monte Amiata between Forests and High-Altitude Trails

The Prati delle Macinaie and the Prati della Contessa are located within the municipality of Castel del Piano at an altitude of approximately 1,300 to 1,400 metres. Together with the changing scenery of forests, olive groves, vineyards and fruit trees, they create a landscape with pronounced differences in elevation and vegetation. Those looking for a holiday apartment that combines local history with mountain scenery will find several thematic points of interest in Castel del Piano.

The 27-kilometre “Trekking dell’anello del Monte Amiata” hiking route can begin directly in Castel del Piano. The route “La salita delle Macinaie sul Monte Amiata” also begins in Castel del Piano and is also known as the “Salita di Castel del Piano”. The “Strada del Vino Montecucco e dai sapori dell’Amiata”, a visitor route for discovering typical local products, also passes through the town. Different route lengths and themes make it easier to plan varied holiday days without every activity having to focus on the same thing.

Tradition and Regional Impressions

The Palio delle Contrade di Castel del Piano takes place every year on 8 September and begins with a historic procession. This fixed date adds a lively tradition to the town’s cultural attractions. Castel del Piano can be reached by car or by coach from Grosseto. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Castel del Piano, you can tailor your stay to your own interests: churches and art, hiking and mountain routes, regional products or an event taking place around the Palio.

More Places for Your Planning

For further regional planning, you can also find Montegiovi, Semproniano, Manciano, Montorgiali, Sorano, Follonica, Valpiana and Pancole.

For the broader travel overview: Grosseto.