Val di Merse
The Val di Merse is a road designed by Mother Nature whose fame is not attached to the myth of a name.
On planet Tuscany, perfumed by wine, coloured by an enchanting landscape, ennobled by piazzas and towers, villas and castles, we find the Terre di Siena. And each land is a powerful icon, a microcosm of people, histories and atmospheres that contribute to the creation of an outstanding identity. Val di Merse is one of these icons that stamps a visible sign on the background of the Palio City.
What we are preparing to experience is a journey free from all conditioning. The Val di Merse is a road designed by Mother Nature whose fame is not attached to the myth of a name.
In the world of communications where everything must have a label and where you travel following legendary and sometimes inconsistent goals, this land of Siena likes to introduce itself without a visiting card. It prefers a firm handshake and a glance that immediately inspire trust. It would be like expecting a formal presentation from someone who wants to say how fine he is inside!
The essence of a place, as of a person, is a discovery that comes about discreetly and silently. It’s a question of feeling; sometimes it happens in a flash, on other occasions you need more time.
The Val di Merse has a reserved character and travellers fall in love with it because it knows how to be at once shadowy and sunny. Its intimate purity and the intact solitude in which it lives are highly intriguing and are an exclusive invitation to the traveller who is motivated by discreet curiosity.
Nobody will be disappointed, because Val di Merse is beautiful inside. And not only: because its external appearance too shines with its own light: suffused and delicate in its woods, brilliant in the cathedral that screams silently skywards.
Discover Val di Merse
San Galgano
The original nucleus of the monastic complex Cistercian of Saint Galgano (Galgano Guidotti 1148-1181) is constituted by the hermitage of Montesiepi, built in Roman style as mausoleum of the Saint between the 1182 and the 1185. Its greater particularity is the so-called 'the Rotunda of Saint Galgano' with a unique, for the constructions of that time, plan. It encloses, beyond to the tomb of the saint, the famous rock with the sword.
Poggio Civitate's Antiquarium
The Etruscan Museum is in the mediaeval village of Murlo and features important finds from the Poggio Civitatearea. Discovery of this place contributed in a determining way to a turning point in research into and study of Etruscan civilisation: the excavations brought to light not a village or a burial ground but an aristocratic palazzo (7th century BC) and a craftsman’s workshop.
The buildings underwent two constructional phases, orientalizing and archaic, datable between the 7th and 6th century BC. Architectonic elements such as tiles and acroteria demonstrate that the orientalizing building (older than the archaic) featured a complete system of roof covering. The craft workshop bears witness to the fact that architectonic ceramics were produced here as well as pots and precious objects. Around 600 BC both structures were destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 580 BC. The residence was entirely rebuilt to a quadrangular plan and had a large internal courtyard with arcades.
The finds include a collection of pottery, some of it from Greece: fragments of plates, amphorae, jugs, Ionic and Laconian cups and refined bucchero. There are also ivory sculptures. Outstanding among the architectural decorations are human and animal figure acroteria. Excavation of the archaic complex led to the discovery of metal objects such as personal and domestic ornaments in bronze and iron utensils.
The exhibition is completed with funerary objects from the tombs of Poggio Aguzzo (650 - 600 BC) including, notably, particularly refined pottery and precious bucchero.
Seeing Val di Merse on horseback
Seeing Val di Merse on horseback means living a precious experience, it means abandoning our usual rhythms and stepping into the wide times and spaces of the past. You ride through the territories of dreams.
It means riding through hills where the great Emperor Frederick II of Swabia’s famous mounted falconers scrutinised the sky in search of the heron and the mallard which still populate this sky today, together with other species such as the kite and the harrier.
On horseback you come across abandoned castles in forgotten loops of time, with evocative names like “Castle that Only God Knows “;or towers tenaciously clinging to crags and ridges; or hermitages secluded in the silent jewel-case of the wood and suddenly coming into view, the kingdom of nocturnal animals and legends of which we are absolute lords for the brief period of our passage. And then the mediaeval villages of the valleys, such as Brenna , Torri , Lestine, where the sound of hoofs on the cobbles echoes through streets now broad now narrow and solitary, and the pink painted walls of Lorraine-style farms such as Montestigliano Montestigliano. To escape our everyday time and rediscover the time of Man, all you need to do is ride along the rivers Farma and Merse or through the woods of the Montagnola.
Val di Merse: discover the area
Accommodations in the area
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- Siena (Siena)
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23 km from Val di Merse
Agriturismo Marciano
Agriturimo Marciano : an exlusive opportunity, two holidays at the place of only one. stay in the country and life downtown. Marciano is located near the walls of the Middle Age town of Siena.
Availability request
Five confortable double rooms and a suite with a beautiful sight on the Siena Duomo -
- Colle Val D'Elsa (Siena)
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31 km from Val di Merse
La Pieve
La Pieve, charming farmhouse located on the hills of Val d'Elsa, between Volterra and San Gimignano, along the Via Francigena, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, with its luxuriant nature and rich history.
Availability request
Framed by olive trees and a wood, it fosters a direct dialogue with nature in complete relaxation where they contemplate and enjoy the stillness in private and unique spaces. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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37 km from Val di Merse
Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto
Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto located in the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.
Availability request
Provides comfortable accommodation in 6 double bedrooms and two Suites -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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39 km from Val di Merse
Agriturismo la Lucciolaia
In the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, Agriturismo La Lucciolaia is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized art towns.
Availability request
This ancient farmhouse has been recently renovated and divided into eleven double rooms and two Suites, where the magic atmosphere of past times is perfectly blended with modern comforts. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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43 km from Val di Merse
Agriturismo Cesani
Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Availability request
Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano. -
- Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
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50 km from Val di Merse
Villa Roccamare Castiglione della Pescaia 12 beds
Beautiful and characteristic villa with stone finishes located in the exclusive Roccamare area in Castiglione della Pescaia.
Availability request
Surrounded by the green of the pine forest and the total privacy with 2000 sqm park equipped with relaxation area and barbecue is located about 400 meters from the sea and has a private beach. -
- Greve in Chianti (Florence)
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51 km from Val di Merse
Villa Chianti 7 beds
Villa Chianti is a private villa for rent in Chianti area with pool and garden that can accommodate up to 7 people.
Availability request
An oasis of peace and tranquility with views of the Chianti valleys not far from the main tourist attractions of Tuscany. -
- Montepulciano (Siena)
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51 km from Val di Merse
Agriturismo le Caggiole
Immersed in the verdant countryside around the noble town of Montepulciano, that boasts ancient Etruscan origins, Le Caggiole Estate is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized treasures.
Booking ONLINE
In a relaxing and cosy atmosphere uests are offered three comfortable, quiet double rooms with private bathrooms and two comfortable apartments for two persons and for small family groups. -
- Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
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51 km from Val di Merse
Villa Punta Ala 9 beds pool
Beautiful villa with swimming pool surrounded by greenery and tranquility of the exclusive tourist destination Punta Ala and small attic used as service personnel only 300 meters from the sea of Tuscany.
Availability request
This ideal solution for those who want to spend their holidays near the beautiful sea of Punta Ala with the comforts of an exclusive villa. -
- Bagno a Ripoli (Florence)
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66 km from Val di Merse
Villa Valdarno 12 beds
Villa Valdarno is a typical Tuscan farmhouse located in a secluded and peaceful area in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, among vineyards and olive groves, and enjoys a privileged panoramic view of the Florentine Valdarno.
Availability request
The ideal solution for groups of friends or acquaintances who wish to spend their holidays in Tuscany with the comforts of a detached villa with swimming pool and large garden. -
- Firenze (Florence)
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67 km from Val di Merse
Marignolle relais & charme
The charming Marignolle Relais & Charme, nestled the hills of Florence, is the ideal solution for those who want a place of excellence and relaxation and love peace and privacy without the amenities of a luxury hotel.
Booking ONLINE
Marignolle Relais & Charme is especially appreciated by travelers looking for style and tradition by offering deluxe rooms or junior suites in a refined, with superior comforts and impeccable services that make this relais an excellence of Florence. -
- Cortona (Arezzo)
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77 km from Val di Merse
Rocca di Pierle
Set within the green hills of Tuscany, a few kilometers away from the old Etruscan town of Cortona farmhouse Rocca di Pierle is the perfect place to find peace and tranquility in contact with the pace of nature.
Booking ONLINE
Completely renovated Tuscan farmhouse with 3 rustic-style apartments. For groups possibilities to rent the whole villa. -
- Lucca (Lucca)
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100 km from Val di Merse
Historic Villa Lucca 12 beds pool
Historic villa 14 km from the center of Lucca immersed in the green of the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves, it has a private swimming pool and a large park.
Availability request
Set on 350 square meters in a dominant position offers a unique view of the hills of Tuscany. -
- Massarosa (Lucca)
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105 km from Val di Merse
Stone Farmhouse Massarosa 8 beds pool
Stone farmhouse in typical Tuscan style skilfully and elegantly renovated in a dominant position on the hills of Massarosa with spectacular views that reach the sea of Tuscany. The farmhouse has a swimming pool with whirlpool.
Availability request
Perfect solution for those that search the real authentic Tuscany staying in the hills but not far from the Versilia sea. -
- Viareggio (Lucca)
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105 km from Val di Merse
Villa Torre del Lago 5 beds
Typical Tuscan farmhouse for rent in Torre del Lago, Massaciuccoli area with 3 bedrooms and 5 beds, just 1 km from the Tuscany coast.
Availability request
Ideal solution for small groups or families looking for a villa for rent not far from the sea in a context of absolute privacy.
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