Presciano: Churches, Villas and Hillside Landscape

Presciano lies on the southern slope of a hill on the right bank of the Arbia. The parish church and Villa Pieri are among the defining features of the village; the landscape is marked by rolling terrain, valleys, and the contrast between cultivated land and maquis. If you are weighing culture against a rural setting for your trip to Tuscany, Presciano offers specific points of interest: a church history with several rebuilding phases and, to the south, landscape features of the Crete Senesi.

A Church History with Several Building Phases

The Chiesa di San Paolo a Presciano is a parish church. The parish of Presciano is documented as early as 1225. Several later events are central to the history of the church itself: it was destroyed by German troops in 1370 and rebuilt in 1381. The 1225 reference concerns the parish; in 1744, the church was rebuilt on a smaller scale and then reconsecrated.

Villa Pieri, the Chapel and the Castello

The imposing Villa Pieri is a defining feature of the village. The Chapel of Sant'Antonio is attached to Villa Pieri, now Villa Lovatelli. It is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and was probably built in the 17th century. Villa Ugurgieri is also located in the same area of Presciano. Alongside the parish church, these are other clearly identified historic places that form part of the village's character, without implying that the two villas are a single complex.

According to a 19th-century account, the ancient fortified Castello di Presciano, also known as “Bastia di Siena,” is said to have stood on the site of Villa Pieri. The Castello is said to have been devastated and demolished in 1371. The dates are close together but concern different buildings: the church in 1370 and the Castello in 1371. This distinction makes Presciano's different historical narratives more tangible.

Hills, Fields and the Crete Senesi

Presciano's overall landscape features rolling terrain and valleys. Cultivated land contrasts with maquis; rows of cypress trees line the estates of landowners. Presciano is also one of the important hubs of agricultural ecosystems in the area around small settlements.

The typical features of the Crete Senesi are noted in the southern part of Presciano: small areas of woodland, predominantly hilly terrain, and clay soils marked by Biancane and erosion. These features of the Crete Senesi shape the landscape in southern Presciano.

A Hike with Several Stops

A hike on December 5, 2021, passed through Mociano, Montechiaro, Pieve a Bozzone, Vico d'Arbia and Presciano. The route was 10.5 km long and included a total elevation gain of 240 metres. Along the way, there were views of Siena's towers, the transition zone between the Crete and Chianti, and the southern foothills of the Monti del Chianti.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Piazze, Valiano, Bibbiano, Castellina In Chianti, Poggibonsi, San Quirico D'orcia, San Casciano Dei Bagni, Badiaccia A Montemuro.

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