Terre di Toscana

Asciano

At the heart of the Crete Senesi, one of the most romantic and most photographed landscapes in Italy, Asciano has a well preserved historic centre of great value, with churches and museums of considerable interest. In the countryside, half hidden among the “calanchi” (chalk cliffs) where its seems to balance from centuries, we can find the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey and interesting medieval villages.

The Asciano center

HOW TO GET THERE
By train
On the Siena-Grosseto line, get off at Asciano.
In autobus/By bus
From Siena take the out-of-town bus line TRAIN Nos 105, 107, 108, 109.
By car
Take the motorway E78 from Siena (Siena-Bettolle), exit at Rapolano Terme and
follow signs to Asciano (9 km).

Chiusure
Chiusure, a fortified village on the edge of the deep calancques of Monte Oliveto, is 9 km away from Asciano, along a scenic road. The village is very romantic and so is the view overlooking the Val d’Arbia from the Abbey below.

The Settembre ascianese
September in Asciano is a month full of events. The first Sunday sees the Festa del Nocino, the second, the Palio dei Ciuchi where the seven quarters compete against each other, with a historic pageant in medieval costume and exhibitions by flag-wavers. The third Sunday there is the Festa del Santissimo Crocifisso and the antique market. In occasion of all these events, during the whole month of September, Asciano offers exhibitions, concerts, theatre and street markets with typical products from the Crete Senesi.

The pecorino
Asciano is also the land of DOP Pecorino (ewe’s milk cheese) Terra di Siena.