Buonconvento is a charming
medieval town located in enviable position to visit Siena
(25 kms), le Crete Senesi area and Val d'Orcia. The historical
centre of the village is plenty of tipical restaurants,
shops and winery.
Buonconvento is a real Tuscan village
within easy distance of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany.
The Siena Palio
The Siena Palio is a horse
race held twice a year, July 2 in honor of the local Madonna
of Provenzano and August 16 in honor of the Assumption
of the Virgin. The winner of the race gets a banner (palio)
as a prize. The race is three times around the Piazza
del Campo in the center of the city. Ten jockeys, or fantini,
ride bareback horses. They represent ten contrade, or
city wards. The course is challenging and the rules make
it more so. For example, because there isn't enough room
at the starting line for the ten horses to stand side
by side, nine stand at the starting line behind the canapo,
the starting rope, while the tenth horse, the rincorsa,
stands further back. The rincorsa begins the race before
the other horses, so is at full gallop by the time the
canapo is dropped for the other horses to start. Some
of the turns are hair raising. One is a right-angle turn
that has caused the death of many fantini and broken legs
for many horses.
Tuscany International
Festival of Music(first half of September)
We are happy to announce that
the City of San Quirico, thanks to the vision and enthusiasm
of it's administration, has decided to assume the organization
of the Tuscany International Festival of Music which could
not take place without the support of our sponsors, all
of those who help with the organization and the enthusiastic
participation of the local population.
Tuscany International Festival of Music, will take place
in the Val d'Orcia Southern Tuscany, one of the most scenic
and romantic places in Italy, generally at the beginning
of September.
The festival wishes to continue to attract the interest
of both Italian and foreign visitors to the area. We also
give importance to the growing participation from the
local population. We aim to offer all of those who attend
the festival unforgettable encounters with artists and
writers of international fame. The festival will utilize
a wide variety of the most beautiful concert venues that
the region has to offer, above all the most important
buildings and monuments of San Quirico. The performances
will take place in various times of the day and evening
and will feature concerts with music from different eras
with a wide variety of ensembles and recitalists representing
ten different countries. As was the case in previous editions
of the festival, music will not be the only ingredient
of the festival. There will also be book presentations,
cooking classes, wine tasting in the most important wine
cellars and vineyards of the area. Our Tuscany International
Festival of Music, will be a feast not only for the ears
but also for a variety of other senses as well as an invitation
to enjoy the architectural, gastronomical and enological
wonders that characterize this magnificent part of Italy.
Montalcino Sagra
del Tordo
Montalcino celebrates hunting
season by throwing a food festival in the medieval fortress,
roasting thousands of thrushes on spits over open fires,
boiling vats of polenta and washing it all down with Brunello
wine.
Last Sunday in October.
Montepulciano Bravio
delle Botti
After a week of medieval pageantry,
festivities and feasting, costumed two-man teams from
Montepulciano's eight neighborhoods, prove their racing
prowess by rolling heavy barrels up to steep and narrow
street to the top of the main square. Last Sunday in August.
Arezzo Saracen Tournament
The Saracen Tournament held
in Piazza Grande in Arezzo, is the scene of this joust.
Held on the first Sunday in September, this tournament
dates back to the Crusades in the Middle Ages, when all
Christendom dedicated itself to driving the North African
Arabs (the Moors) out of Europe. There are lively and
colorful processions to procede the event, in which eight
costumed knights charge towards wooden effigy of the Saracen.
The aim is to try to hit the Saracen's shield with lances.
Each pair of knights represents one of Arezzo's four rival
districts and their supporters occupy a side each of the
plaza. They are quite when their own district knights
are jousting, but make as much noise as possible to distract
the opposition. The winner receives a gold lance. First
Sunday of September.
San Galgano Festival
During summer time in the big
St. Galgano Abbey, built between 1220 and 1268, when in
Italy the Romanesque style was merging with the newborn
French Gothic style, many concerts and grand opera are
held. For any kind of information you may contact Multipromo
Opera Festival Tel. 055.5978309
Box Office Firenze, tel. 055.210804; Informazioni turistiche
Terre di Siena: tel. 0577.280551; Abbazia San Galgano:
tel. 0577.756738
The Sword in the Rock
It's worth while also visit
the Sword in the rock! The Sword in the Stone placed in
1180 by Galgano Guidotti on Montesiepi's Hermitage. This
was the only known miracle performed by St. Galgano
but over 800 years later, it's still visible
The Bosco della Ragnaia
(Ragnaia Woods)
The Bosco della
Ragnaia is a woodland park and garden created by the
American artist Sheppard Craige at San Giovanni d'Asso,
a small town near Siena, Italy. Although some parts
may appear ancient, the park is a contemporary work
that began in 1996 and continues today. Under tall oaks
one may find many inscriptions that gather moss while
waiting to be noticed by a visitor. Some will be familiar,
others enigmatic, while yet others merely express Sheppard's
sense of whimsy. Notable built features include: an
Altar to Scepticism, the Center of the Universe, and
an Oracle of Yourself. The Bosco does not offer a meaning,
but is, on the contrary, open to all interpretations.Sheppard
tells of a time long ago when the woods was ruled by
Sages. He repeats the sonorous question with which they
concluded all their incantations: Se Non Qui, Dove?
(If Not Here, Where?)
Tourist
Attractions
San Antimo Abbey
Monte Oliveto Abbey in
the Crete Senesi area
San Galgano: summer concerts
Siena
Monteriggioni
Pienza e Monticchiello
Bagno Vignoni
San Quirico d'Orcia
More
events
Threshing Feast
at Buonconvento (August)
Val d'Orcia Festival
at Buonconvento (last week of September)
Live concerts at
La Foce (30 min. from Buonconvento)