Crete Senesi in Tuscany, has many beautiful and relaxing benefits to the prospective home owner from abroad.
The area of Crete Senesi is located in mid-central Tuscany and composed of five municipalities: Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d’Arbia, Rapolano, and San Giovanni d’Asso. The area has rich views of the hills and valleys, and in places, scenery can be contemplated over long distances from atop the hills. South of Siena, Crete Senesi has many woods and villages to explore.
What does “Crete Senesi” literally mean? “Senese clay”. And it is the grey soil colour which makes some of the landscape appear almost as though you are walking on the moon. This was formed 2.5 and 4.5 million years ago from sediments of the Pliocene sea, a hot tropical ocean that covered a great part of the peninsula. Another sign from its past is also the Accona Desert which is situated in the very heart of the Crete and is characterized by calanques and light, dome-shaped formations. Here rises the famous monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
In the area of Crete Senesi, are the towns of Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d’Arbia, Rapolano, and San Giovanni d’Asso. For those who want to settle down in the area for a vacation or perhaps part of each year, the property values increase the closer to the main town of Siena you settle. So Asciano, Monteroni d’Arbia and Rapolano prices start from 2,100€/m² to 2,600€/m². 170,000€ will buy a restored and modernized detached house which is 70m² and possesses both a garden and garage located in a panoramic position.
Very close to Siena
Asciano offers many things to see and do as well as natural areas. Visit Museo Cassioli. The Monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore offers frescoes depicting the life of St Benedict, and you can even hear the resident monks singing the Gregorian Chant on a pre-announced schedule. If history is more to your liking, try Castello di Gallico, which is a fortified castle as well as working farm.
Buonconvento is rich in historical landmarks. There is a museum with art by the famous Duccio di Buoninsegna as well as other Tuscan painters. Meanwhile, most of the area features medieval and Renaissance era castles to explore and photograph.
Monteroni d’Arbia is located approximately 60 km south of Florence and 13 km southeast of Siena. With a population of around 7,000, Monteroni d’Arbia is home to the baptismal church of Saint John the Baptist located as Corsano. This building goes back past 1031, and is built in the style of Romanesque architecture which is said to have been influenced by both Pisan and Lombard. The church of St James and St Christopher is nearby with some un-restored 14 century frescoes. Famous people in the town included Cesar Maccari and Giuseppe Fiorentini, Count of San Fabiano.
Rapolano offers a slightly smaller population of around 4,900 people. A bit of a spa-oriented territory, you can view tranquil fields as well as hills while relaxing at your comfortable new home or a local business. The area comes well recommended and includes nice and welcoming accommodations for enjoying your stays while you are viewing properties and making a decision about where you would like a vacation home or investment property.
Other places to consider and worth visiting
San Giovanni d’Asso is the smallest of the towns belonging to the Crete Senesi. There are around 920 people, and a castle on the hill overlooks the area. This castle is both historical point and white truffle museum. For other ancient landmarks, check out the churches of San Giovanni Battista and San Pietro in Villore, both of which date back to medieval times and feature some refreshed, and some original architecture.
If price is one of the bigger factors, San Giovanni d’Asso and Buonconvento are considered more affordable starting at 1,700€/m² up to 1,900€/m².
What could be better than your own private escape from it all in beautiful Tuscany?
[Featured image by torremountain]
