Discover Murlo: Etruscans, nature and holiday apartments

Anyone considering a holiday apartment in Murlo can plan their stay around the desired combination of culture, nature and physical activity.

Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate and Etruscan history

The Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate is housed in the former Bishop's Palace in the centre of Murlo's small borgo. It contains archaeological finds from the municipality of Murlo, particularly from the important Etruscan archaeological site of Poggio Civitate.

The excavations at Poggio Civitate uncovered the remains of Etruscan palaces in an area of lordly residence. An Orientalising and an Archaic building phase from the 7th and 6th centuries BC can be identified. The oldest building from the Orientalising phase is dated to around 630 BC. Castello di Murlo was the main centre of the episcopal fief and the seat of the Bishops of Siena. The walls surrounding the borgo or Castello di Murlo are visible along almost their entire perimeter. There are two gates along the perimeter, one in the north and one in the south or west.

Church history in Pieve a Carli

The Pieve di S. Maria a Carli is a church in the village of Pieve a Carli near Murlo. Its history can be traced back to 1081; it was restored in 1767. For those interested in culture, the Pieve di S. Maria a Carli can be planned as a separate stop alongside the Etruscan sites.

Nature in Basso Merse

The Basso Merse nature reserve covers part of the municipality of Murlo. A path in the nature reserve leads to the hermitage of Eremo di Montespecchio, also known as “Conventaccio”. For your travel planning, this landscape offers a different perspective on Murlo: nature and a specific destination for days of walking or hiking complement the historical discoveries. A day in nature in Basso Merse can be centred around the hermitage of Eremo di Montespecchio.

Circular trail and Eroica route

There are two different route ideas for active days in Murlo. The permanent Eroica route runs through the municipality of Murlo. The circular trail to the excavations at Poggio Civitate is almost 5 km long and starts and ends in Murlo. The same starting and ending point gives you a clearly defined tour idea, while the Eroica route offers a separate focus for cycling enthusiasts. The specific length of the circular trail helps you adapt your daily planning to your preferred holiday rhythm. At almost 5 km, the circular trail remains a clearly defined section that can be planned as a day trip. Cycling enthusiasts will find the permanent Eroica route an independent route through the municipality of Murlo for their daily planning.

Choosing a holiday apartment in Murlo based on your travel interests

The combination of archaeology, architectural history, a nature reserve and physical activity makes Murlo interesting for various types of holiday planning. When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether cultural visits, the landscape of Basso Merse, the circular trail or cycling should be the focus of your days.

Further places for your planning

If you would also like to consider other places, you can find the pages for Vescovado Di Murlo, Bagnaia and Casciano here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Siena.

More travel destinations

More places within the same destination:

Fonterutoli, Sinalunga, Montalcino, Megognano, Chiusdino.