Gracciano
Welcome to Gracciano
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about one of the most beautiful hamlets in the municipality of Montepulciano, Tuscany: Gracciano. Situated just 7 km from the capital city, this locality is truly small but very charming.
History of Gracciano
The first reference to Gracciano dates back to the distant year of 775, in a document preserved at the Abbey of San Salvatore al Monte Amiata, where it is mentioned as "Greciliani". Over the centuries, the name of the hamlet underwent several variations, until it assumed its current name "Gracciano". Did you know that Gracciano was part of the diocese of Chiusi until 1561? Furthermore, in 1833, the hamlet had as many as 840 inhabitants.
Monuments and Places of Interest
But let's move on to the monuments and places of interest that can be admired in Gracciano. First of all, I recommend visiting the Pieve di Sant'Egidio, a beautiful church that gave its name to one of the gates of Montepulciano. Moreover, you cannot miss the birthplace of Agnese Segni, the saint of Gracciano, who was born in this building in 1268. Next to the birthplace, you will also find the Chapel of Sant'Agnese, a small but very suggestive place of worship.
Curiosities about Gracciano
But did you know that Gracciano bears the name of one of the districts that participates in the famous "Bravìo delle Botti"? This event, very important for the city of Montepulciano, is held every year on August 14th and sees different districts competing in a race of barrels that run through the streets of the historic center. The district of Gracciano has won this competition seven times, triumphing in the editions of 1981, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2010, and 2011.
Gallery of Images
To give you an even clearer idea of the beauty of this hamlet, I leave you with two images: that of the birthplace of Sant'Agnese and that of the church of Sant'Egidio.
Conclusion
There you go, guys! I hope you enjoyed this brief virtual tour of Gracciano. Tuscany is always a guarantee for the beauty of the landscapes and the cultural richness of the places, and Gracciano is no exception. I invite you to visit it at least once in your life. See you soon!
