Accommodations in Chiusi

ITALY’S ETRUSCAN PAST COMES ALIVE AT CHIUSI
In the 6th century BC, Chiusi used to be called by its Etruscan names of Clevsin or Chamars, and it was one of the 12 most important cities in the Etruscan federation. Under King Porsenna, Chiusi reached its peak when the Etruscans fought and defeated the Romans. From the 11th century onwards, it was under the rule of the local bishop, and in 1231 went under Siena, with which it remained until 1556, when it was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Today, Chiusi is a thriving country town, less than 150 km from Rome, about 200 km from Pisa, a little more than 100 km from Florence, and about 60 km from Siena. Located in the southeast of Siena province, along the border with Umbria, Chiusi has become an important tourist destination mainly because it acts as a starting point to the popular Tuscan destinations of Chianciano, Montepulciano, Pienza, Orvieto, and Cortona.

Even if you don’t make it to these places, the lowlands around Chiusi are teeming with Etruscan tombs, and the Etruscan Museum at Chiusi itself remains one of the most significant repositories of Etruscan remains in Italy. The museum was founded in 1871 and is now home to Etruscan cremation urns, vases decorated with blank figures, and Bucchero ware, burnished to resemble bronze.

You must also visit the Romanesque Cathedral (Duomo) of San Secondiano, built around 560 AD over a basilica, and renovated in the 13th century. Of special interest ought to be the Roman swimming pool under the bell tower dating from the 1st century BC. There is also a museum, located in the cloister of the cathedral, which has samples of Roman, Lombard and medieval sculpture.

Then there’s the Labyrinth of Porsenna, a series of tunnels under the town, built between the 6th and 5th centuries BC and probably utilized in Etruscan-Roman times to drain out excess rainwater. According to Pliny the Elder, the Labyrinth was part of a monument that included the sepulcher of King Porsenna.

Accommodation in Chiusi is one of the reasons that tourists are increasingly including it in their list of destinations in Tuscany. You can take your pick from a selection of villas, farmhouses, cottages, holiday apartments, agritourism facilities such as farmhouses and other lodgings around Chiusi. If you are looking for customized accommodation such as a rental apartment, or a honeymoon cottage, or even a wedding venue, we have the details right here (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Chiusi.htm).