Sarteano - A Medieval Hidden Gem

Sarteano is a stunning Tuscan town that has long been a bit of a hidden gem. Only recently have its many attractions and boons have become public knowledge to a wider audience outside the region.

The town itself is immediately distinguishable; a lush and green place with a medieval core and topped by its famous giant castle.

The castle is definitely one of the main highlights of the town and is a must-see but there are plenty of other historic and cultural gems to be discovered and explored; from Etruscan tombs to Renaissance palaces and medieval churches to local festivals, Sarteano has a diverse offering of interesting local attractions.

Just find a holiday rental in Sarteano and you can begin delving into everything the town has to offer.

The Castle dates to the twelfth or thirteenth century and was then renovated in the fifteenth century. Surrounded by a double circle of walls enclosing an imposing square keep with round towers at the sides, it is a bold and striking building in a perfectly strategic location.

In 1300, Sarteano was annexed to, and became a stronghold of, the Republic of Siena. In 1500, it came under the control of the Medici of Florence and, in 1600, Cosimo de' Medici donated it to the Brandimarte Fanelli family and its descendants.

Thankfully, it was bought by the city of Sarteano in 1998 and was opened to the public in 2006, after a long series of restoration works. Inside, you can explore the service rooms necessary for a castle to function, head to the ramparts for stunning views across the surrounding landscape, wander the courtyards and uncover secret passageways and outside you'll find the pretty park that the complex is located on.

There are plenty of other architectural gems to be discovered in the town: Arriscianti Theater, used from the 18th century down to the mid-1960s and replaced when a group of amateurs founded a new Academy of Arrischianti, inaugurated a new theater, company and regular repertory; the Church of St. Martin in the Forum, with its wonderful large paintings by Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciao and Domenico Beccafiumi's Annunciation; and the Etruscan Tomb of Lucomone Porsenna, which portrays him in a carriage being dragged by golden birds. The City's Archeological Museum located in the 16th century Gabrielli Palace, is another must and will give a better insight into the history of the town. There are also plenty of feasts to check out during the year: on August 10th there is the Feast day of San Lorenzo, with a large market; on August 15th there is the Joust of the Saracen; on the first Sunday in October there is the Reconcialition Ceremony of the Contrade, at the Church of San Francesco; and on November 11th there is the Fair of St. Martin. A picturesque town with so much to see and do, Sarteano is a perfect tourist destination in Tuscany for those interested in something a little off the beaten track.