Monte San Savino

Monte San Savino is a charming town located in Valdichiana, within the province of Arezzo, having really ancient origins, which reached its greatest height during the 15th and the 16th centuries when it was governed by the Ciocchi-Di Monte family, which counted among its members important persons like Giovanni Maria who became Pope in 1550 with the name of Julius III.

The guided tour of Monte San Savino with Cortona Tourist Guide is held in the historic center starting from Piazza Gamurrini, the heart of the old medieval town. Here we find the old Cassero that now hosts the Town Museum (Museo Comunale) and the beautiful Church of Santa Chiara, which has been recently restored and reopened to the public to show its important sculptures by Andrea Sansovino and Andrea della Robbia.

The tour led by a qualified tour guide will continue with the visit of the elegant and refined Palazzo di Monte, which still preserves its marvelous garden that is accessible from the first floor, then the visit of Palazzo Pretorio and its Tower (Torre Civica), the thousand-year old Parish church (Pieve), the Loggias, the Church of Sant'Agostino of the 14th century with remarkable paintings by important artists like Giorgio Vasari.

But Monte San Savino is also famous for its "porchetta", roast pork seasoned with aromas and roasted in special wood-fired ovens, for the renowned D.O.P. Tuscan ham, for the dry-cured and raw sausages and for its savoury cold cuts.

The tour may be extended upon request with a visit of the Castle of Gargonza, which is located about 7 kilometers away from the center of Monte San Savino. In 1302 great Poet Dante Alighieri stayed in this castle dating back to the 13th century.

Difficulty:

Easy (a means of transport is needed to get around in the town surroundings).