Casole d'Elsa

The town of Casole d'Elsa with a population of less than four thousand people is one more gem of the Sienna province.

Casole is located on top of the hill 417 meters above the sea level. The famous landscape of the Val d’Elsa valley stretches in sinuous lines around the town. At night, romantic dreamers can admire the lights of Siena and Florence located nearby.

Today we enjoy the beauty of the town’s location; and during the Middle Ages it was the reason of long-lasting struggle between Sienna, Florence and Volterra for the right to control the strategically located town. The defensive walls were damaged while confrontation, however, they have been partly preserved until nowadays. The fortress of the XIV century, Rocca Senese, is one more old attraction of the town. It houses the town council nowadays. It’s worth observing the minster of St Mary Assumption, Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, erected in 1061. In next centuries it was rebuilt a couple times. The museum of sacred art, Museo d'Arte sacra, is located in the neighboring building of the XV century. Its exposition includes paintings, furniture, and devotional articles of local churches. The fresco of Lady Mary and the Holy table created by students of Andrea di Niccolò’s School are worth special attention.

The charm of the local area inspired the modern American cultural leader Nigel Konstam to create a private art center, Verrocchio Art Centre, in Casole. Every year, from May to October, one- or two-week courses are organized here. They are designated for students of all ages, levels of education and abilities. The main goal of these studies is to develop imagination and power of observation which are considered to be the basics of personal, unique vision of the world. Studies of art, painting, graphics, and sculpture are available for students of the center. Studies are organized in the form of lections, seminars, plein-airs, guided tours. Classes provided by the Verrocchio Art Centre can be useful as for common knowledge so for improving professional skills.

The cultural life of Casole involves holding traditional festivals as well. The horse race “Palio di San Isidoro” is organized on the second Sunday of July. Christmas historic procession is one more annual festival celebrated by all people of Casole.

The location of Casole is favorable for additional sightseeing tours. The famous San Gimignano as well as Monteriggioni is located only fifteen kilometers away. The neighboring Volterra is seventeen kilometers away. You’ll drive 23 kilometers to get to Sienna.

Casole d’Elsa welcomes visitors.