Asciano

Historic-artistic itinerary

Our visit begins in Basilica of Sant’Agata Square which you reach by going up some stairs with a scenic view. The interior, with a single nave and a lantern covered by a cupola, houses some interesting works.

The S. Agata bell tower

We then go along Corso Matteotti, the main road, up to Garibaldi Square which we cross to go up towards Museo dell’Immagine delle Crete. The museum, presently being restored, is divided into two sections, the collection of works by the painters Amos (1832-1892) and Giuseppe (1865-1942) Cassioli and a multi-media library which documents the use of the scenographic Crete Senesi by advertisers, photographers and film makers etc.

Going back down towards Corso Matteotti where the Civic Tower is, we reach the Church of Sant’Agostino. Once belonging to the order of Augustinians, it was built in the late Gothic period but, behind a simple façade in terracotta, there is a Baroque interior.
Next to Sant’Agostino we find the complex of Palazzo Corboli which houses a museum with the same name.

From Palazzo Corboli we take Via della Peschiera and go down to Piazza del Grano, decorated with a splendid fountain by Antonio di Paolo Ghini (1471-72). This square was the main market place, with the granaries of the old Convent of San Galgano which stood where the present Palazzo Monaci is today. Around the square we can also find Palazzo del Podestà, with crests from the 15th to the 17th centuries. We now go down to Via delle Fonti, going along it to admire the remains of the 14th century walls. The complex of San Francesco is however outside the walls, on a hill to the south-east, and can be seen only from the exterior.