• Introduction
• The castle and the church

Introduction

The road to Monte Antico

Monte Antico

Monte Antico

Monte Antico is known for its castle which, located at the top of the hill, dominates the Ombrone valley. The castle can be reached by following a large cobbled road with large bends and skirted by hundreds of cypress trees.

As it climbs, the road becomes even wider until it reaches the castle piazza after having turned a full 360 degrees.

The view from this vantage point is one of the most magnificent in the region. A steep crag runs down to the plains below where the slowly-moving Ombrone snakes its way, and the massive shape of Monte Amiata can be seen in the background.

For almost a thousand years the castle, in prominent view, alternated between great splendour and decline. Evidence of its early existence comes from document of 988 in which it is indicated by the name "Ancaiano".

The parish church was once under the jurisdiction of the Sienese monks of Montecelso, and later the monks of San Lorenzo dell'Ardenghesca.

The church then passed from the hands of the Ardengheschi into the Buonsignori, then to the Tolomei before becoming part of the Republic of Siena in 1348. It would appear that along with these changes, the two families of nobles continued to alternate in their ownership of the castle. It is also here that the first plots were hatched against the Spanish by the Sienese.

After being abandoned for many years the castle is today the site of a hotel, which also runs conferences and cultural activities.