Between villages and Chianina breed, the territory of Sinalunga represents a fundamental step to discover the history and traditions of the valley. The city is well recognizable for its position on a hill, from which it dominates the entire Valdichiana, with a historic center that has many treasures to offer to tourists. The visit starts from Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi and continues through narrow alleys where you will come across churches and palaces that, with simplicity and discretion, have preserved their historical characters intact and they are brimming with works of art. The real wealth of Sinalunga, however, is represented by the surrounding area, which, among large farms and hills covered by vineyards and olive groves, is rich in art, traditions and gastronomic excellence that make it the ideal destination for those looking for slow tourism and close contact with nature.
There are two characteristic aspects of this territory: the presence of villages and castles where time has stopped and where to experience a real leap into the past, and the presence of some of the major Chianina cattle breeding. A few kilometers from Sinalunga you can find the fortified village of Rigomagno, with its walls and towers, the medieval village of Scrofiano with its testimonies of sacred art, the castle of Farnetella, the enchanted atmospheres of L'Amorosa or the rural testimonies preserved by the La Fratta estate. In a few minutes by bicycle or by car, it is possible to immerse yourself in some of the most evocative corners of the Val di Chiana.
The fulcrum of the Chianina breed is the village of Bettolle, which, between Leopoldine villas and nineteenth-century farms, was the birthplace of Professor Ezio Marchi, who played a decisive role in the modern breeding of this bovine breed, to produce the fine meat known throughout the world. The visits to the farms, combined with the tasting of the real Chianina IGP, represent an opportunity to savor the rural life and to live experiences capable of satisfying every sense, thus making your stay in Valdichiana unforgettable.
The Valle del Gigante Bianco of Bettolle is the major event dedicated to the Chianina breed in its area of origin. The review is developed over two weekends that offer a rich calendar of initiatives aimed at people of all ages: from conferences to historical re-enactments, from visits to farms to animal exhibitions, from sporting initiatives to musical events, from games for the most small to artisan markets, from cycle tourism to documentary and artistic exhibitions. There is no shortage of opportunities to get to know and taste the real Chianina IGP meat.
Animal exhibitions, direct sales markets, historical representations, conferences and educational workshops for children: the Agricultural Fair, inserted within the Fiera alla Pieve, highlights the peasant and rural roots of the Val di Chiana. The event is scheduled in the square adjacent to the Sinalunga train station and proposes a journey back in time to discover the agricultural memories of the past among tools, vintage tractors and work machines, between Chianina breed and traditional recipes.
The discovery of Sinalunga starts from Giuseppe Garibaldi square, the gateway to the alleys of the town, which brings together many of its most famous buildings. In addition to the town hall, the Collegiate Church of San Martino stands out. It is easily recognizable from the staircase of 1616 and from the dome of 1753 and it houses valuable works by artists, such as Girolama Pacchia and Benvenuto da Giovanni. The square is also enriched by the small church of Santa Croce, with a painting from the Signorelli school, and by the more recent church of the Madonna delle Nevi, which found a Baroque look after the restorations of 1700.
Splendid and ancient village, L’Amorosa is a jewel of the Sinalunghese territory. In the Middle Ages it was a castle in the Sienese countryside, then became the center of a large estate, a farm, a tavern, a school and a church at the service of the entire rural community. In recent times, L’Amorosa has also been recovered in a receptive key, but taking care not to lose its precious historical architecture.
Among the most characteristic corners of the municipal area is the La Fratta estate, testimony of the economic and rural history of Sinalunga: the first evidence of this place dates back to 1208. Here it is possible to admire the imposing farm, walking in a beautiful Italian garden, discovering the beautiful internal courtyard and stopping in front of a small church, but also look at the Chianina grazing and taste the traditional dishes based on Chianina Igp meat.
TheAssociated paths of SINALUNGA
