Holiday apartment in Sovicille: Forests, trails and medieval traces

Sovicille combines a landscape strongly characterized by forests with buildings and trails that reveal the history of the surrounding area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sovicille, you will find various starting points here for eventful and culture-focused days on holiday: The Sovicille area is largely covered by forest, while the historic center is surrounded by a ring of walls dating from the 15th century. In the 12th century, this town center was the seat of a castle belonging to the Bishop of Siena.

Nature and trails in the forest

The Alto Merse Nature Reserve encompasses a long section of the Merse River. Its forests include downy oak, sessile oak and chestnut stands. The forest fauna is also remarkable: Three woodpecker species – the green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker and wryneck – are among them. For walks and longer excursions, the Museo Etnografico del Bosco offers five circular trails with a total length of 50 km; some of them combine the route with contemporary art projects.

After 5 km from Orgia, the Via dei 4 Borghi reaches the Alto Merse Nature Reserve. It then continues to Torri and ends at the medieval village with its cloister. Another historic trail experience is offered by the Ponte della Pia: The originally Romanesque bridge was rebuilt in the Middle Ages, and its current appearance probably dates from work carried out around the 13th century. Despite the lack of railings, it can be crossed carefully. A forest path at the bridge follows the remains of an ancient road that once bore the name “Manliana”.

Culture between castles and palaces

The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista, better known as Pieve di Ponte allo Spino, is considered one of the most interesting Romanesque buildings in the Sienese countryside. Palazzalbero is a palace in the immediate vicinity of Sovicille. The surroundings of Sovicille are also home to Palazzo Celsi Pollini, another palace, as well as Celsa and Castello di Montarrenti, both castles. Castello di Celsa has an Italian garden created in the 16th century. Boxwood hedges shaped like stars and a rake represent symbols from the coat of arms of the Aldobrandini family.

At Palazzo al Piano, the only visible original element is the chamfered base of a tower with several loopholes. In the 19th century, its owners, the Counts Chigi Saracini, almost completely converted the palazzo into a villa with a garden and an extensive park; the park has disappeared today. Anyone wishing to explore the surrounding area over a longer distance can use the Grand Tour della Val di Merse as a guide for a route of approximately 173 km.

Discover spiritual history

The Eremo di San Salvatore a Lecceto combines architecture and religious history. Its interior was redesigned in the Baroque style and preserves 14th-century frescoes. The monastery buildings are arranged around two cloisters: One is Gothic, while the other dates from the 15th century. From the 14th century onward, the Eremo became a spiritual center associated with the work of Saint Catherine of Siena. The range of experiences around Sovicille thus extends from nature observation and circular trails to Romanesque, medieval and spiritually oriented cultural sites.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Rosia, Stigliano and Carpineto. Other destinations include Colombaio, Campriano, Gaiole In Chianti, Torri and Colle Di Val D'elsa.

To the higher-level travel overview: Siena.