Foiano Della Chiana: Art, Festivals and Wine Tradition

Foiano della Chiana combines important works of art in historic churches with a strong festival tradition, paths through the landscape of Valdichiana Aretina and regional specialities. If you would like to combine culture, shorter excursions and culinary discoveries on your trip to Tuscany, the town offers several clearly distinct starting points for doing so.

Art and History in Churches and Museums

In the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, formerly the Chiesa di San Domenico, you can see the polychrome glazed terracotta work “Ascensione di Gesù”. It is attributed to Andrea and Giovanni della Robbia and was created between 1495 and 1500. The Collegiata di San Martino also houses Luca Signorelli’s large altarpiece “Incoronazione della Vergine”. The Chiesa della Ss. Trinità preserves the oil painting “La Ss. Trinità con Angeli e Santi” by Antonio Cercignani, known as Il Pomarancio. The Museo Civico di Foiano was established in 1975 in the Chiesa-museo della Fraternita di Santa Maria, which is also known as Sant’Eufemia. The municipal art trail “Cinque chiese...un museo” presents the artistic heritage of the fortress of Foiano della Chiana, its five churches and the Tempio di S. Stefano alla Vittoria. Another glazed terracotta work is the Madonna della Cintola with San Tommaso and San Leonardo, attributed to Andrea Della Robbia and dated 1502. The associated sculptural group comprises four individual life-size figures as well as another group of four figures depicting the fainting Virgin at the cross; in addition to glazed terracotta, there are painted sections made of natural-coloured terracotta. Piazza Cavour, traditionally called “Piazz’Alta” by local residents, is also useful for finding your way around the town. It can be reached via a staircase that passes beneath the arch of the Torre Civica. The Palazzo delle Logge was a 16th-century hunting residence of the Medici and now houses the Biblioteca Comunale. The interior of the Teatro Garibaldi is the work of the architect De Vegni from the late 18th century. Columns, frescoed ceilings and decorative motifs shape the room; at the time of the description, it was undergoing restoration.

Carnival and Historical Events

The Carnevale di Foiano is documented by a provision in the community statute of 1539. During the Carnevale di Foiano, four large allegorical floats compete against one another and pass before a jury of nationally recognised art experts. The event ends with the public burning of Re Giocondo during the Rificolonata ceremony. Another historical event is Foiano in Fiore, the flower fair of Foiano della Chiana. Its 40th edition focused on horticulture, crafts and art in the historic centre and included events, exhibitions and activities for families.

Paths through the Town and Countryside

For travel by road, the route from the north and south leads via the Valdichiana exit on the A1; from there, it continues for approximately 5 km towards Foiano della Chiana. The nearest railway stations are Arezzo and Terontola-Cortona. Within the local network of paths, a 5-kilometre nature trail runs between the Chiesa di San Francesco in Foiano della Chiana and the Tempio di Santa Vittoria in Pozzo Della Chiana. The Percorso delle Bonifiche approaches Foiano della Chiana and passes through the landscapes and along the historic sites of Valdichiana Aretina.

Wine and Regional Specialities

Foiano della Chiana lies along the Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo. This route runs through the entire wine-growing area of Arezzo and combines gastronomic specialities with the region’s DOC wines, which can be explored and tasted along the way. During the Easter period, the Ciambellino of Foiano is part of the local tradition: the large ring-shaped biscuit made from flour and eggs is traditionally eaten dipped in Vin Santo. Further places for travel orientation: Fratta-Santa Caterina (Fratta-Santa Caterina), Lucignano (Lucignano), Terranuova Bracciolini (Terranuova Bracciolini), Le Ville (Le Ville), Chitignano (Chitignano), Pieve Santo Stefano (Pieve Santo Stefano) and Strada (Strada).

For the main travel overview: Arezzo.