Map of Tuscany

Map of the Comune

The best way to enjoy the numerous beauty spots of Civitella Paganico is by means of the old roads that cross the countryside and reveal its unspoiled beauty.

A particularly interesting trip is the one that follows the old State Road that connected Siena to Grosseto This begins at Paganico and continues to the thermal spring at Petriolo (Bagni di Petriolo). It is a road associated with a history that dates back to antiquity and with the visits of famous historic figures such as Pope Pius II Piccolomini in 1460. By following this road north, you can see the highest mountain of the area, the so-called poggio dei Lecconi at an altitude of 600 metres.

Alternatively, if you leave Paganico by the beautiful Sienese Gate, you can follow another road that will also take you to Monte Amiata.

On leaving Paganico on the old State Road and travelling in the direction of Petriolo you will find a turn-off, after two kilometres, that leads to Monte Antico. This beautiful little town nestles at the foot of a hill on which is located the ancient castle. Today the castle has been transformed into an elegant hotel, with magnificent views of the Ombrone valley as it slowly winds its way at the foot of Monte Amiata. On leaving the castle of Monte Antico a narrow winding road will take you past woods and fields, to Casal di Pari. Along this road you will also pass the castle of Casenovole, which is well worth a stop.

If you continue on the State Road and do not take the turn-off to Monte Antico, you will pass small hamlets and groups of houses isolated in a landscape that recall the past history of this region. The ancient hamlet of Dogana, is on the right of this road and a little further on there is a turn off to the left. This recently paved road passes by the ancient Abbazia (Abbey) Ardenghesca of San Lorenzo , and will finally take you to the town of Civitella Marittima.

If you decide not to turn off to Civitella Marittima but continue along the Start Road you will arrive at Casal di Pari, a tiny hilltop village where interesting archaeological discoveries from the Etruscan-Roman era have been made.

Approximately 2 km further north is the village of Pari, with its beautifully preserved medieval appearance. The Farma valley can be seen from this vantage point. Pari also reminds us that, unlike the other towns and villages of the Borough, it retains a strong memory of its former connection to Siena. This can be seen in the exceptional degree of conservation of its buildings.

Continuing along the old Grosseto-Siena road you will finally reach the Bagni di Petriolo, an ancient thermal bath. It is still visited today because of the medicinal properties of the sulphur water spring.