villa tuscany - Holiday Villa in Chiusi, Italy

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).

TUSCANY VILLAS: YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Tuscany is justly famous for its wine, food, warm and hospitable people, and dazzling natural beauty. However, in our opinion, Tuscany should also be celebrated for its beautiful villas, because the Tuscan countryside is dotted with some of the most superb villas dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and almost all of them are perfectly preserved, so that they can still be inhabited with ease. And guess what? We would like to invite you to stay in one of Tuscany's independent villas, which we have carefully selected for the discerning tourist. We can guarantee you every home comfort that you can ask for, in the luxurious and elegant atmosphere of these beautiful villas.

Without exception, the independent villas of Tuscany that we have chosen for you are located amidst some wonderful natural scenery. Take the Villa Ginestra, situated near the top of a hill in the Tuscan countryside, delighting guests with a magnificent view of the city of Florence. Also within view is the tiny village of Cercina. On a nearby hilltop, you can see the ruins of a great house that once belonged to a medieval bishop. The scenery is, in a word, magnificent. At Villa Ginestra, you will enjoy the best Italy has to offer – the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rural countryside, and quick and easy access to Florence.

An orchard of half-century-old olive trees surrounds Villa Ginestra, providing visitors with a crown of green and silver. To the west is the still deeper green of a forested mountain, webbed with well-marked trails for the adventurous hiker. To the east is a superb view of the medieval town of Fiesole.

And that is just one example of what we can offer you. There are numerous independent villas in Tuscany that find place on our list, spread all across this beautiful region of Italy. Can you actually imagine staying in a place called the Villa Buonaparte? Well, we have it on our list too, and it is situated on San Miniato’s hills, about five km from San Miniato. It is a 16th-century building, carefully renovated and maintained to remind you of the charms of medieval Italy.

As we keep saying, these are mere samples. For a detailed list of independent villas in Tuscany, come to us and we’ll take you on a free and infinitely rewarding tour!

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