Holiday apartment in Presciano: discover the Crete Senesi and village history

Presciano lies on the southern slope of a hill on the right bank of the Arbia. The village combines this riverside location with rolling terrain and valleys. If you choose a holiday apartment in Presciano, you can shape your stay around three interests: village history, rural scenery or physical activity on a longer hike. The southern part of Presciano features the typical landscape of the Crete Senesi, with small wooded areas and predominantly hilly terrain.

Church, villas and village history

In the village, the Chiesa di San Paolo a Presciano is a parish church. The parish of Presciano is documented as early as 1225. The church of Presciano was rebuilt in 1381 after being destroyed by German troops in 1370. In 1744, it was rebuilt again on a smaller scale and reconsecrated. The history of the village is thus reflected in a sequence of destruction, reconstruction and architectural change.

Another notable landmark is the imposing Villa Pieri, a defining element of the village of Presciano, which is now called Villa Lovatelli. The chapel attached to the villa is dedicated to Sant'Antonio, Saint Anthony of Padua, and was probably built in the 17th century. Villa Ugurgieri is also located in the same area of Presciano as Villa Pieri. The ancient fortified Castello di Presciano, also known as “Bastia di Siena”, is said to have stood on the site of Villa Pieri; it was devastated and dismantled in 1371.

Museums, palaces and gardens in the surrounding area

Bologna Buonsignori is a museum in the area surrounding Presciano, as is the Museo delle Tavolette di Biccherna. Vestri Palace and Malavolti - Sozzini Palace are palaces in the same area. The gardens there include Giardino Emilio Montagnani and Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena. This gives you access to a variety of cultural themes that can be connected with the village history of Presciano.

Crete Senesi, agricultural landscape and mountains

Presciano is one of the important hubs of agro-ecosystems in areas near small settlements. The landscape is shaped by the contrast between farmland and maquis, as well as by rows of cypresses at the villas of landowners. The clay soils in the southern part are characterized by biancane and signs of erosion. Poggio Cerrete is a mountain in the area around Presciano, while Monte Luco is a mountain in the wider regional surroundings.

Hiking with views of Siena

A 10.5 km hike with a total elevation gain of 240 metres passed through Mociano, Montechiaro, Pieve a Bozzone, Vico d'Arbia and Presciano. It offered views of the towers of Siena, the transition zone between the Crete and Chianti, and the southern foothills of the Monti del Chianti. The distance and elevation gain give you a concrete basis for planning your day. When choosing accommodation or a holiday apartment in Presciano, you can therefore consider whether churches and villas, the shaped landscape or a combination of several places should be your focus.

Other places

Other places for planning your trip include Gallina, La Fratta, Siena, Colle Di Val D'elsa, San Quirico D'orcia, Buonconvento, Castiglione D'orcia and Colombaio.

For the higher-level travel overview: Siena.