Property for sale in Tuscany

Description

Sovicille is located in the beautiful wooded countryside west of Siena. Located in the Montagnola Senese region of Tuscany, Sovicille is set in picturesque surroundings - lush forests full of chestnut and oak trees, and landscapes dotted with medieval hamlets, farms and historic churches and abbeys. Just 20 minutes from the famous city of Siena, Sovicille offers a tranquil country base with easy access to the main sights of Tuscany.
The village dates back over 1,000 years, a medieval village full of charm and tradition. With many churches full of beautiful art, and streets lined with ancient buildings, Sovicille offers a taste of historic Tuscany, with visitors able to walk around this small town and enjoy its authentic atmosphere. Sovicille also offers a selection of shops and restaurants, and the town plays host to a regular outdoor market twice a month. The romantic city of Siena, with its enchanting walled centre packed with narrow streets and alleys, lies just 10 km away, and offers plenty to see and do.
Set on the edge of the dense woodlands of the Montagnola, Sovicille is ideal for those looking to explore the natural beauty of this Tuscan region, and the countryside is full of ancient trails and convenient walking paths. Sovicille is ideally placed for wine tours and tastings in nearby Chianti and Montalcino, and there are many excellent restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias in the area. Other activities include cycling, golf, horse-riding and hot-air ballooning. Day trips are easy to San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Arezzo, Lucca and, of course, Florence.

Province

Siena (SI)

The picturesque city is an important cultural centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is especially known for its celebrated Palio delle contrade, a horse race held twice a year, in which each horse and rider represent one of the seventeen contrade.
Siena's university, founded in 1203 and famed for its faculties of law and medicine, is still among the most important Italian universities. Siena is also the home of Siena Jazz School, which hosts the summer Jazz Concert.

According to legend, Siena was founded by Senius, son of Remus, who was in turn the brother of Romulus, after whom Rome was named. Statues and other artwork depicting a she-wolf suckling the young twins Romulus and Remus can be seen all over the city of Siena.
Siena was an Etruscan settlement and a small Roman town, the seat of a Christian bishop by the 5th century, but its importance began in the early 12th century, when a self-governing commune replaced the earlier aristocratic government.
Siena's republic, struggling internally between nobles and the popular party, usually worked in political opposition to its great rival, Florence, and was in the 13th century predominantly Ghibelline in opposition to Florence's Guelph position.
Siena rivalled Florence in the arts through the 13th and 14th centuries: the important late medieval painter Duccio (1253–1319) was a Senese but worked across the peninsula. Siena was devastated by the Black Plague of 1348 and never recovered its earlier glory, losing out to Florence in inter-urban rivalry. Siena retained its independence in Tuscany until 1557.

Siena's cathedral, the Duomo, begun in the 12th century, is one of the great examples of Italian gothic architecture. Its main facade was completed in 1380. Its campanile and baptistry make a fine group. Inside is the famous Gothic octagonal pulpit by Nicola Pisano (1266–1268) supported on lions, and the labyrinth inlaid in the flooring, traversed by penitents on their knees. Beneath the Duomo, in the baptistry is the baptismala marvellous font with bas-reliefs by Donatello, Ghiberti, Jacopo della Quercia and other 15th-century sculptors. The Museum of the Opera del Duomo contains Duccio's famous Madonna (1308–1311).

The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the town main square, which houses the Palazzo Pubblico, and the Torre del Mangia, is famous for hosting the Palio.

The Palazzo Pubblico (townhall), hosting the mural of "Good Government" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, a magnificent example of late-Medieval/early Renaissance art as well as a representation of the utopia of urban society as conceived during that period.

Region

Tuscany (click to read more from our website)

Local Facilities

Shops, banks, services and there are very good restaurants in the area, where you can taste some the best of Italian cuisine

Tourist Attractions

The area is rich in historical attractions such as the San Galgano Abbey or the Romanic cloister of Torri and many other medieval buildings. The thermal spa of Petriolo is also a must. The Merse River classified by WWF as one of the cleanest and untouched rivers of Italy, where you can really swim in ponds 50 mts wide and sun-bath totally relaxed. The Mediterranean coast is about 50 km.

Florence, visit the Museo Nazionale degli Uffizi

Siena, famous for its medieval traditions such as the Il Palio, a horse race that takes place two times a year (July 2nd & August 16th). It takes place in the main square called "Piazza il Campo". Siena is also famous for her cathedral "the Duomo", the floor of which is made with different and wonderful mosaics known as one of the most beautiful marble floors in the world.

San Gimignano is a little jewel of the medieval architecture.

Montalcino is a small medieval town, at about 20 kms from here, famous for its wine "Brunello di Montalcino", one of the most prestigious wines of the world.

Transport

Bus services from Siena.
Nearest train station Siena.

Airports

Florence 96 km

Rome 270 km

Pisa 157 km

Perugia 130 km

Bologna 180 km

Altitude

265

Population

8,800

Directions

From Florence

Exit Siena Ovest - San Marco then turn left on the "Strada Statale 73" direction Costafabbri, Costalpino, Volte Basse; after Volte Basse turn right direction Sovicille.


From Rome - Arezzo - Grosseto

Exit Siena Ovest - San Marco then turn right on the "Strada Statale 73" Direction Costafabbri, Costalpino, Volte Basse; after Volte Basse turn right direction Sovicille.

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