The Chiana Valley: the Beautiful Land of Poggio del Drago.

The Chiana Valley: the Nature surrounding Poggio del Drago

The territory of the beautiful Chiana Valley stretches south of the City of Arezzo, bounded by the mountains surrounding the Master Canal of the Chiana, created in 1338 by order of the Republic of Florence. The territory of the Chiana Valley is extremely rich in natural beauty and picturesque and interesting villages.

The Val di Chiana is our home, here you will in fact find our beloved B&B, and from the Poggio del Drago it will be very easy for you to explore its wonders. In this article you will find some tips on things to see in Valdichiana and activities that await you in this area with a magical atmosphere.

Cortona and the ancient Chiana Valley

Cortona, which was Curtun in ancient Etruria, is a small town that becomes gigantic when you go to weigh its historical and cultural heritage. In Cortona you will in fact find as many as eighteen sites of archaeological interest, such as the Tombs dating back to the Etruscans or the picturesque Rocca di Pierle. Among the things to see in Cortona, it would be unthinkable not to mention the Diocesan Museum. The museum is world famous and houses works by Pietro Lorenzetti, the Beato Angelico, Bartolomeo della Gatta, Sassetta and Luca Signorelli.

Cortona is not only Museums and Archaeology: even a simple walk through the Historic Center of Cortona has the power to fascinate visitors. Don’t miss this wonderful city!

Castiglion Fiorentino : Medieval Chiana Valley

Walking through the streets ofCastiglion Fiorentino you can savor the magical atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The first step is to cross the threshold of the old city walls from the Porta Fiorentina, which opens onto the first thing to see in Castiglion Fiorentino: the Church of San Francesco. The church is a Romanesque parish church with elements of the Gothic style dating from the 12th century. San Francesco is a frescoed church and here you can admire a panel painting, depicting the Crucifixion, by Francesco Morandini known as “il Poppi”.

Continuing to explore the village of Castiglion Fiorentino you will discover the Loggiato Vasariano that makes the Piazza del Municipio beautiful. Under the Loggia you can enjoy anincredible view of the surrounding area, and of great historical interest are the coats of arms that adorn the interior walls of the loggia.

It is a must to mention the Piazzale del Cassero, which is the site of the ancient stronghold of the same name dating back to the 12th century. Next to the Torre del Cassero – built later, in the 14th century – you will then find the Palazzo Pretorio and the Church of Sant’Angelo.

Monte San Savino: pork tradition of the Val di Chiana

The first thing to be said about Monte San Savino will surely please foodies : this is where you will find the Goodest Italian Pie 2023. Not only this award , the Porchetta di Monte San Savino also ended up in the very famous Guinness World Records book. Imagine a roast pork preparation that reached over 44 meters in length, nothing short of incredible! Monte San Savino’s pork tradition is very old, and all this should be enough to prompt you to visit this beautiful village. In fact, we recommend that you enjoy your traditional Porchetta sandwich while admiring the Hanging Gardens of the Palazzo del Comune – or Palazzo del Monte. An authentic Tuscan experience!

Civitella in Val di Chiana

Civitella in Val di Chiana is the village closest to Poggio del Drago and therefore the most easily accessible location in the valley. This beautiful village, set on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding valley, will charm you with its picturesque alleyways. Inside the village of Civitella you can discover the Ancient Fortress of Civitella, now in ruins, or visit the interesting Museum of Memory. The museum documents and recounts more recent history, that relating to World War II and the passage of the front in Tuscany.

Civitella in Val di Chiana also likes to be goliardic, an attitude in fact typical of Tuscan life. Goliardia , here, has given rise to the “Sarapino,” an event that has been going on year after year since the late 1950s. The Sarapino is held every year in June, and is a kind of parody of the famousJoust of the Saracen of Arezzo. In Civitella, instead of horses, they ride Piaggio Bees. The Four districts of Civitella ( Torre, Porta Senese, Porta Aretina and San Francesco) compete similarly to the districts of Arezzo during the Buratto Challenge.

Castle of Gargonza

We want to conclude this partial and very short list of things to see in Valdichiana with a mention of the beautiful Castle of Gargonza. This fortified village is now a splendid example of medieval Tuscan architecture, and here you can find an excellent restaurant set in idyllic surroundings. You will have realized that in Val di Chiana eating well is a must!

Lake Trasimeno

Last but not least, to conclude this very brief introduction to the Val di Chiana, is a stop at Lake Trasimeno, on the border with Umbria and the Province of Perugia. This area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and upon closer inspection: the views offered by the Lake make a morning spent in the surrounding area unique, remaining forever etched in memory.

Come discover the Chiana Valley from Poggio del Drago!

The Chiana Valley is thus an area rich in culture, art and history, but not only! From breathtaking natural landscapes to tasty treats that you can discover in every village in the Valley, this area will never cease to amaze you. Keep reading our articles to find out more about the Chiana Valley and its many other wonderful attractions!