Holiday apartment in Chiusi: History, Trails and Lakeside Cuisine

Holiday apartment in Chiusi: History, Trails and Lakeside Cuisine

Chiusi reveals its history in the Cathedral of San Secondiano, in Etruscan museums and beneath the tunnels of the labyrinth. At Lake Chiusi, Brustico adds a dish made with lake fish; the Sentiero della Bonifica leads as an unpaved trail all the way to Chiusi.

Cathedral, Labyrinth and Etruscan Museums

The Cathedral of San Secondiano has eighteen reused Roman columns. All are different and feature capitals from various styles. This very diversity makes the columns tangible architectural details that can be viewed individually inside the church.

The presbytery contains a mosaic from the 4th to 5th century, which was recovered from an older basilica.

The Cathedral Museum of Chiusi displays a collection of illuminated Benedictine codices from the second half of the 15th century that originated from the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. The Museo Etrusco di Chiusi was founded in 1871 to display the numerous finds recovered from the Chiusi area. The Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Chiusi also houses the Canopo di Dolciano, made of bronze and terracotta and dating from the late 7th century BC.

The tunnels of the labyrinth in Chiusi date from the 4th century BC and probably served for waste disposal, drainage and the city's water supply. The labyrinth also includes a monumental Etruscan-Roman cistern with walls carved into sandstone, dating from the 1st century BC. Consequently, in the case of the cistern, the sandstone is one of the visible features of the structure alongside its function.

The Sentiero della Bonifica for Cycling and Walking

The approximately 62-kilometre-long unpaved Sentiero della Bonifica connects Arezzo with Chiusi and runs along the Canale Maestro della Chiana. It is suitable for cycling and walking and closed to motor traffic. The trail can be accessed from Chiusi Scalo or Chiusi Città. The figure of approximately 62 kilometres refers to the entire route; starting from Chiusi therefore need not be equated with its full length.

Brustico at Lake Chiusi

Restaurants on the shore of Lake Chiusi serve Brustico. To prepare this dish, lake fish is cooked over an open flame using reeds from the lake, then filleted and served with oil, salt, pepper and lemon as a starter or second course. The preparation preserves the connection to the lake on the plate as well. Classifying it as a starter or second course also places Brustico within different types of meals.

Opening Hours of the Museum and Catacombs

The opening hours of the Cathedral Museum of Chiusi and the catacombs may vary.

Discover More Places

If you would like to continue planning your trip beyond Chiusi, you can also find Sinalunga, Asciano, Trequanda, Chianciano Terme, Radicofani, Fonterutoli, Scalvaia and Murlo here.

For the overarching travel overview: Siena.