Nel Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio –...
curated by Felicia Rotundo
The Siena area
The area that constitutes the territory of the province of Siena is situated in the south of Tuscany and is made up of: the Val di Merse or Montagnola, Valdelsa (San Gimignano), Chianti, Crete (Asciano), Val d’Orcia (Pienza and Montalcino), Valdichiana (Montepulciano), Monte Amiata.
Via Francigena
A special role in the development of the region and its particular character was played by the Via Francigena that leads from Florence, via Siena, towards Rome, that, in addition to representing an important thoroughfare for pilgrims, was also an important trade route and consequently a fundamental channel for the diffusion of culture. The towns, hospitals and castles, that represent the characteristic face of the Siena area, sprung up along the length of this historic highway
The cities and towns - the architecture and town planning
Cities and towns such as Pienza, San Gimignano, Montalcino and Montepulciano and numerous small and medium sized towns all enclosed within their own walls, are the real treasures from the mediaeval period and contribute to the Siena area’s unique character. The area is considered a museum in itself, in which diverse elements appear unified by the landscape.
Such uniformity is due to the strong influence and the secular rule of Siena that followed a distinct policy that aimed to defend the territory from the expansionist influences of Florence and Orvieto.
The countryside and agriculture
The territory is prevalently hilly, with few mountains. Beginning in mediaeval times an agricultural economy developed through the establishment of small and large holdings owned by the nobility of Siena (that invested in the countryside the vast sums earned through trade and banking). Also ecclesiastical organizations, such as the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala, played a fundamental role in the development of the land. This hospital, from the XIII century onwards, expanded its influence across the whole province organizing a network of agricultural organizations articulated in twenty two grance - fortified farms that served as management and harvesting centres for produce from the areas in which they stood.
The unifying characteristic of rare beauty that this territory possesses derives from man’s capacity to harmonize his activities in tune with the natural environment.
