Valdichiana

In 1786 Goethe was travelling in Italy and this is the description he made about the Valdichiana area: “you cannot see fields which are more beautiful than these; there is no small part which is not perfectly kept and ready for new seeds…”These are the first years in which the Valdichiana area is finally reclaimed, after having been a marsh for centuries. Even Leonardo da Vinci thought about this majestic project, without ending it.
Just in 1770, thanks to the genius of Conte Fossombroni, the Valdichiana area is finally reclaimed through a technique called “colmata”, which is able to drain the land.
Nowadays the visitors may find corn, maize, sunflower fields. Gorgeous colours may be found in both the hill and the sky.
Apart form these features, the Valdichiana area is famous for the cows called “Chianina”, from which you can eat the delicious “bistecca”. This meat can be found in Cortonas and Montepulcianos restaurants. Also some special pigs, called “di Cinta Senese” are in the Valdichiana area.
Talking about this, means also referring to the cuisine! The typical dishes include: i crostini neri (bread with meat sauce), i pici o le tagliatelle al ragù di selvaggina (a long type of pasta with a Bolognese sauce, made out of meat), le penne al fumo, la ribollita, l’arista, la trippa, la porchetta, gli arrosti, le salsicce, i fegatelli, salumi, i fagioli all’olio nuovo, i cantucci con il vinsanto.
Just trying these dishes will be better than any explanation!

How to get to Querciagrossa

Take the A1 motorway and exit at Valdichiana. Take the Siena-Perugia superstrada towards Perugia. Exit at Foiano della Chiana. Follow signs for Chianacce valiano. After driving through Chianacce turn left towards Cignano.

The nearest cities

On of the best thing about staying in Valdichiana is definitely the chance to visit the extraordinary cities of art which lie very close. In just 30 minutes of travelling by car you can easily reach: Cortona, Montepulciano, Arezzo and its beautiful city centre, ancient churches and the famous frescos by Piero della Francesa; Perugia with it famous Umbria Jazz (a festival which is held in July); Pienza, defined “the pearl of renaissance”, raised in just four years and famous for its typical food; the Trasimeno lake. Assisi, with its remarkable buildings and Saint Francis’ grave, just one hour away by car. Also Florence and Siena are just one hour away from the Agriturismo. Rome is 180 km away.