Discover Toiano: History, Landscape and Cycling Route

Toiano combines impressive architectural history with green hills and a landscape that appears unchanged over time. Those who are looking for more than just a single highlight during their stay in Tuscany, and instead seek a variety of cultural impressions and quiet routes through the surrounding area, will find an unusually rich selection of interesting places here. Historic towers, villas, a former noble residence and a circular route with almost no traffic give the area a distinctive character.

Historic Buildings in and around Toiano

The Palazzaccio di Toiano has been documented since the 15th century, although some of its structural elements are considerably older. The complex consists of a very tall stone tower with a sloping base, lower buildings and sections of wall enclosing an inner courtyard. It also includes a large square portico. A substantial brick pillar supports it in the centre, while the portico opens onto four brick cross vaults. The various structural elements make the Palazzaccio especially interesting for visitors interested in medieval architecture and historic complexes that have developed over time.

Castello Poggiarello also clearly reveals its defensive origins. It has a battlemented tower with a sloping base, as well as a lower building section, also with battlements, containing several preserved loopholes. The garden contains a chapel dedicated to Saint Augustine, built in 1558. The fortress, originally constructed to defend the surrounding land and store the harvest, was later converted into a noble residence. Castello Poggiarello is located on the road connecting Caldana with San Giusto a Balli.

Villa Chigi in Toiano was built in the 17th century and preserves frescoes from 1707 inside. It therefore complements the medieval complexes with a later chapter in the history of the area. Villa di Toiano lies on the border between the municipality of Siena and the municipality of Sovicille, to which it belongs.

Hills, Farmhouses and a Cycling Route

Toiano is situated among green hills, with scattered, well-restored farmhouses visible between them. This combination of settlement, historic buildings and rural surroundings shapes the impression of the area more strongly than any single monument. For active days, there is the “In bicicletta tra pievi, ville e castelli” route. It is a circular route with almost no traffic that runs through the Caldana and Toiano area. Those who want to explore the surroundings by bicycle can combine the landscape with the parish churches, villas and castles mentioned there, without the route being focused exclusively on a single building.

Tastings at Poggiarello di Toiano

The local character of Toiano also includes Fattoria Poggiarello. Tastings at its estate in Poggiarello di Toiano can be booked in advance. This provides a separate reason to plan your stay around more than just architecture and landscape, and to include a tasting as a cultural experience of the area.

If you are looking for a hotel in Toiano, you can base your choice on the area’s main attractions: historic complexes, green hilly landscapes, a cycling route or a tasting in Poggiarello di Toiano. For further destinations in the same region, consider Mensano, Vagliagli, Badesse, La Fratta, Chiusi, Poggibonsi, Castellina In Chianti and Presciano.

For the overarching travel overview: Siena.