Living in Tuscany: Art, history and events in the Val di Chiana

Tuscany: architectural wonders, stunning landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and incredible food and wine.

That’s why these days many people are making the choice to leave everything and buy a home in Tuscany.

Among the most beautiful areas to choose from are the neighboring provinces of Siena and Arezzo. Just over 70 km apart, they meet in the stunning Val di Chiana.

From this historic part of Tuscany, close to the border with Umbria, it is easy to explore the many interesting sights in the area. It was here that the ancient Etruscan civilization flourished and you can visit numerous archeological sights and museums dedicated to them.

This area is also home to the Chianina, one of the oldest breeds of cattle in the world, and from which the famous Fiorentina steak is produced.

Experience Tuscany: Arezzo!

To start, we take you to Arezzo, a town so beautiful that it looks like an open-air museum. It is the city where the famous poet Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) was born in 1304, and it is also home to the oldest University in Tuscany. The historic center is one of the most charming and well preserved in all of Italy, and a point of great pride with the local population.

Along the cobblestone streets, many monuments have histories dating back a thousand years. Be sure to see the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donato, which houses priceless works of art, and the Medici Fortress from the 1500’s, which hosts exhibitions and cultural events and from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Val di Chiana and Arezzo.

Walking through the large park nearby, you get to the central street, Corso Italia. Here, among artisan shops, boutiques, bars, and cafes, sits the beautiful 12th century Church of Santa Maria della Pieve. It has a lovely façade of small columns and a bell tower nicknamed “one hundred holes,” for it’s numerous double arched windows.

Following the perimeter of the building, you arrive in Piazza Grande, a large square framed by a portico designed by architect Giorgio Vasari in the 1500’s. This is not only the city center, but also home to the Giostra del Saracino (Saracen Joust), an ancient game of chivalry that dates back to the middle ages.

This event is one of the most important medieval reenactments in Italy, and takes place twice a year, the second to last Saturday in June and the first Sunday in September. Teams dressed in colorful costumes represent the city’s four quarters, and they compete for the ultimate prize, the golden lance.

Piazza Grande is also the location of another prestigious event: The Antiquarian Fair. Today the most important fair of it’s kind in Italy, it draws thousands of people to Arezzo the first Sunday of the month, and the Saturday that precedes it. They come to buy art, furniture, antiques and knick-knacks, as well as to admire the elegant and picturesque city that surrounds it.

Experience Tuscany: Castiglion Fiorentino.

We continue our journey a few kilometers south of Arezzo and pass through the historic hill town of Castiglion Fiorentino.

Inhabited first by the Etruscans and then by the Romans, this enchanting village is nestled among vineyards and olive groves and is the perfect place to visit on foot.

Built in the fourteenth century, the town preserved the previous ancient walls of 300 B.C., which dominate the highest and oldest part of the settlement.

Explore the steep streets and discover hidden gems: beautiful churches like the Collegiate Church of San Giuliano, monuments that offer extraordinary views of the Valle di Chio, such as the sixteenth-century “Logge del Vasari,” and evidence of the Etruscan period like the Torre del Cassero (Cassero Tower).

Experience Tuscany: Cortona.

The last stop of our journey is historic Cortona, just a few minutes down the road. This ancient town is dominated by the impressive and fascinating Fortezza del Girifalco (Girifalco Fort). From here you can admire nearly the entire Val di Chiana, up to Monte Amiata and Lake Trasimeno, an unforgettable view.

A few meters down the road lies the monumental Basilica of Santa Margherita with its polychrome interior, and the thirteenth-century Church of San Francesco, both definitely worth a visit. In the heart of the town, within the Etruscan walls, antique-looking shops, palaces, alleys and squares seem to stand still in time, reverberating with the sounds and colors of daily life.

Today, Cortona is a lively cultural center full of exhibitions and international events. A popular one is the “Cortona On The Move“, an international photography festival that hosts exhibitions, workshops and conferences with photographers and journalists from all over the world from July to September.

For recommendations on buying a home in Italy, have a look at our webpage dedicated to homes.

For more information on events in the Val di Chiana, consult their website.