CHIANCIANO - It is not only an important thermal centre, but it is also a town of Etruscan origin: you can visit the Museo Civico Archeologico (Civic Archeologic Museum) and the tombs with painted ceilings at "La Pedata", at the farm of Poggio Bacherina and at the thermal Mezzomiglio buildings. The Museo della Collegiata contains interesting paintings and sculptures by Duccio di Boninsegna's School.

MONTEPULCIANO - It is placed on a 605 m high hill between the valleys of the river Chiana and the river Orcia, not far 

from Siena, Perugia and Arezzo. It must be considered one of the most characteristic and undamaged medieval towns of this area. It had its best period from the end of 1500, when it became a Diocesan centre and went under the Medici's, turning into one of the most privileged centres of the Granduchy of Tuscany. Between the 14th and the 15th centuries, talented architects enriched the town with luxury buildings and very beautiful religious works. We must mention the works by Sangallo il Vecchio (San Biagio, Palazzo Contucci, Palazzo Tarugi). The "Palazzo Vignonesi" and the "Logge del Grano" were designed by Vignola, while the Town Hall and the facade of the Church of S. Agostino were designed by Michelozzo.You can admire numerous buildings along the streets of this beautiful town. We suggest you to visit also the fascinating and ancient "cantine" (cellars) where the wine "Nobile di Montepulciano", the first Italian wine to obtain the D.O.C.G. label, ages: it was already famous in 790 a.C. and is one of the most important economical sources of the town nowadays. Museo Civico Pinacoteca Crociani -  visiting hours:   10-13 e 15-18, closed on mondays; tickets: £ 8.000 , £ 5.000 reduction (Tel. 0578757341 

 e-mail prolocomp@bccmp.com).

PIENZA -It is placed in the middle of Val d'Orcia, at 491 m above sea level. It was in origin the "Castello di Corsignano" (Castle of Corsignano): its present name comes from Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini who became Pope in 1458), who entrusted its restoration to the famous architect Bernardo Rossellino, disciple of Leon Battista Alberti who revolutioned the traditional art trying to realize the utopia of the ideal town the artists were looking for during the Renaissance. In only three years Rossellino realized Palazzo Piccolomini and the Cathedral with works by Vecchietto, Matteo di Giovanni and Sano di Pietro. The house of the Canons is close to the Cathedral: it houses the Diocesan Museum, where you can admire works of Sodoma's School, 1400 and 1500 Flemish tapestries, 1500 wooden sculptures and Pius II's cope. The Town Hall and the Bishop's Palace are also very remarkable. Now the village is a little jewel of architecture: the works we can observe make it one of the most important "art towns" of the province of Siena. From an economical point of view Pienza is an agricultural centre, famous for its cheese, the well known "cacio di Pienza". Outside the walls you can visit the Romanesque Pieve di Corsignano and, at a few kilometres of distance, the Castle of Spedaletto, the monatery of S. Anna in Camprna and Monticchiello.