Sarteano – Etruscan History and Thermal Pools

Castle and Etruscan Culture in Sarteano

A prominent starting point for exploring the town’s history is Castello di Sarteano: the first known document mentioning it dates from 1038. The castle stands on a massive travertine rock, surrounded by lush vegetation and centuries-old holm oaks. Today, the surrounding area forms a nature park. The Cassero has four floors and a rooftop terrace. A travertine spiral staircase with 134 steps runs through the building.

Sarteano’s Etruscan past is on display at the town’s Archaeological Museum. Housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Gabrielli, it preserves finds from local Etruscan necropolises dating from the 9th to the 1st century BC. The collection includes canopic urns, Etruscan and Attic painted ceramics, and ossuaries made of fetid stone. The finds span many centuries; alongside Etruscan objects, Attic ceramics are also part of the collection.

The museum also contains a life-size reconstruction of the painted Etruscan tomb Tomba della Quadriga Infernale. The tomb was discovered in 2003 in the Pianacce necropolis. The tomb is cut five metres into travertine; its 20-metre-long access corridor is decorated with vivid paintings on white plaster. A chariot is depicted in the corridor, drawn by two lions and two griffins and driven by a demon. This demon may be Charun.

The churches also offer insight into different periods of construction. The Collegiata di San Lorenzo dates from the early 13th century and has a Renaissance façade and a Latin-cross floor plan. The Chiesa di San Francesco was founded in the first half of the 14th century; its travertine façade dates from 1480. The Collegiata thus brings together an early origin, a Renaissance façade and a distinctive floor plan, while San Francesco offers a different point of reference in time.

Traditions and Thermal Waters

The Giostra del Saracino takes place in Sarteano every year on 15 August and is a historical re-enactment of ancient equestrian tournaments. Before the tournament, the Contrade parade through town in historical costumes with an ox-drawn cart carrying the Palio. The Sarteano Jazz & Blues festival also takes place every August in the historic centre. If you are planning to attend the festival, check the specific event dates before your trip.

The town offers two distinct thermal-water experiences. The Parco delle Piscine has three pools fed by a continuous flow of water at a temperature of around 24°C. The water flows over cascades. The Piscine di Sarteano are fed by thermomineral water from the Santa Lucia spring, which remains at a constant temperature of around 24°C. Details about the pools, water flow and spring offer concrete information to help you include these thermal experiences in your travel plans.

Walking Routes and Getting There

The Via dei Mulini is a short, family-friendly route for leisurely walks. It starts at Piazza Domenico Bargagli in Sarteano. The Anello delle Pianacce loop leads to the Pianacce necropolis, an important Etruscan archaeological site in the Sarteano area. If you are mainly looking for a short walk, the Via dei Mulini fits the bill; the Anello is centred on its circular route and archaeological destination.

From the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme motorway exit, the route to Sarteano follows the SS478 for about ten kilometres. Check the road route before setting off, as traffic or roadworks may affect it.

Sarteano is also part of the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano e dei Sapori della Valdichiana Senese. This route is associated with Vino Nobile and wine cellars carved into rock and tuff. This connection adds a regional wine and landscape perspective to the town’s history.

Discover more destinations: Castiglioncello del Trinoro, Castellina In Chianti, Monticiano, Rapolano Terme, Isola D'arbia, Fonterutoli, Radda / Chianti, San Casciano Dei Bagni.

For the broader travel overview: Siena.