Asciano
Welcome to Asciano: a town rich in history and unique landscapes
Welcome to Asciano, a town located in the province of Siena, Tuscany, with a population of about 6,784 people. Asciano is known for its medieval old town, rich in monuments, and for the lunar landscapes of the Crete Senesi.
Physical Geography
Territory
The municipality of Asciano is characterized by the imposing presence of the Crete Senesi, known for their white hills and ravines that form a unique landscape in the world. The atmosphere of this area, as detected by the scientific committee of the CNR, is moderately dispersed.
History
Asciano was founded by some important characters, such as Senio and Ascanio. According to legend, the city was founded by Ascanio, the brother of Senio and son of Remo (the brother of Romolo), who founded Siena. However, the historical reality is very different, and archaeologists have found only some remains dating back to the Bronze Age, the first Iron Age, and the Etruscan era.
Asciano in the Etruscan era
The Tumulo del Molinello and the necropolis of Poggio Pinci represent the main Etruscan discoveries in the territory of Asciano.
Asciano in the Roman era
Unlike the Etruscan contexts, the main monumental evidence found in the Roman era is a preserved mosaic in Via del Canto. This mosaic, belonging to a thermal plant or an aristocratic villa, represents an important testimony of the Roman era.
Asciano in the medieval era
The Lombard period is characterized by the feud of the pieve disputed between the Bishop of Siena and that of Arezzo. In the 9th century, Asciano became a fief of the Cacciaconti-Scialenga counts, and was then purchased by the City of Siena in 1275. During the 14th century, the Senesi strengthened the walls of the city, which remained under their dominion until the fall of the Republic in 1554.
Asciano in the modern and contemporary era
On April 19, 1862, a serious railway accident occurred near Asciano, causing the death of 22 soldiers and the injury of 60 other people.
Natural history
In 2008, the fossil remains of a species of dolphin that lived in the area over 3 million years ago were found. This discovery, located near the outcroppings of Pliocene clays, has aroused great interest among scholars, as it is a fossil species never studied before.
Unique landscapes and medieval monuments
Asciano is known for its spectacular natural landscapes and medieval monuments. The western and southern part of the territory of Asciano offers a succession of white hills and ravines with the lunar characteristics of the Crete Senesi, which represent one of the most suggestive natural landscapes in the world. The old town of the city, of medieval origins, offers a series of monuments of great historical and artistic importance, including the Church of Sant'Agata, the Archaeological Civic Museum, and the Tower of Cassero.
Conclusions
In summary, Asciano is a town located in the province of Siena, Tuscany, offering unique landscapes and medieval monuments of great historical and artistic importance. The Etruscan, Roman, medieval, and modern era are all represented in the municipal territory of this small Italian town. Asciano represents one of the most suggestive places in Italy, rich in history and natural beauties.
