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Manciano

Manciano: this small town lies on a Tuscan hill, has a an eventful history and offers truly unique vantage point over the surrounding valleys and landscapes.

Manciano is a charming little settlement that sits on a hill in the Tuscan countryside. As with many of the towns and cities in this area, Manciano has been passed through various rulers’ hands. These include the Aldobrandeschi and Orsini families. Eventually, however, it became part of the Sienese Republic in the mid 15th Century. Its convenient and strategic position means that it has also had a fortified Rocca for many centuries. It is thought that construction first began in the 12th Century. That said, renovations and reconstructions continued until the 18th Century. This is because every new ruler felt a need to improve and strengthen its defences as best possible.

To look even further into Manciano’s past, you can take a trip into its Prehistoric Museum. Though quite small, the museum offers an interesting delve into the area’s history, all the way to the Bronze Age. In addition to this, just a short drive away from Manciano you can find the Etruscan necropolis of Del Puntone. This well-preserved development set into the rock is breathtaking in its unique insight of this era in Italy’s history.

One of the great advantages of Manciano’s position on a hill for modern visitors is its incredible panoramic views. From here you can gaze into all directions, spotting such places as Vallata del Fiora, Talamone, Argentario and Isola del Giglio amongst others. With so much amazing nature right at its doorstep, Manciano makes for the perfect place from which to explore on foot. With this in mind, there are many footpaths and hiking trails in the area with guides, maps and signposts.

A particularly relaxing way to enjoy Manciano’s gorgeous surroundings is by making the trip to the thermal springs. These lie in the nearby Saturnia. A quaint small town in itself, it is also home to some thermal springs that create some quite stunning pools. You can visit both the thermal baths (roughly 37.5°c), as well as visit the pools’ waterfalls which are also free of charge.

Manciano is easy to reach, with both train and bus connections to the rest of Tuscany, especially the big towns such as Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca.