Chianciano Terme: history, tuscan hills, spa water and parks
The town of Chianciano Terme lies on the border with Umbria, surrounded by the beautiful Tuscan countryside and known for its excellent spa facilities which offer complete and exclusive programmes integrating health, wellness and relaxation with sport and nature. Here there is something for everyone and in the summer the spa parks Parchi Fucoli and Acqua Santa offer entertainment, sport and music.
Chianciano dates back to Etruscan times and it was during this era that the healing properties of the water were first discovered. Later on during Roman rule the first spa buildings were built. Today the town makes good use of the thermal waters and mud, mixing age-old healing traditions with modern techniques and specialists in one exclusive wellness centre which includes the ‘Salone sensoriale’ and the ‘Terme Sillene’.
Chianciano also has a medieval history which can be seen in the 13th century ‘Palazzo del Podestà’ or by visiting the Archeological Museum or the ‘Collegiata di San Giovanni’.
The unspoilt surrounding landscape of gentle, rolling hills with never-ending lines of cypress trees makes the Chianciano area the perfect place for trekking on foot or horseback. Visit too the numerous parks including the Riserva di Petraporciana near Chianciano or the Riserva naturale di Lucciolabella close to Pienza.
Close to Montepulciano you will come across another park – Parco Naturale del Lago di Montepulciano. Montepulciano is an important wine growing area and no visit to would be complete without trying the world famous wine ‘Vino Nobile’ together with one of the local cheeses. Or why not buy one of the wonderful pieces of traditionally hand crafted ceramic, terracotta or blown crystal.
Further south still lies Chiusi, worth visiting for its lakes, whilst scattered through the hills you will find the medieval towns of Cetona, Sartiano and Sinalunga and finally Pienza a fine example of a renaissance town and the birth place of Pope Pio II.
And for those looking for more thermal waters and relaxation this area is home to the atmospheric village of San Casciano dei Bagni with its thermal complex famous for mud treatments.
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