Eastern Tuscany - Florence and Tuscany - page 506

VAL DI CHIANA

This wide green valley stretches south from Arezzo and is punctuated by gently rolling
hills crowned with medieval villages. Its prized agricultural land is rich in orchards and
olive groves, but is primarily known as the home of Tuscany's famed Chianina cows, one
of the oldest breeds of cattle in the world and the essential ingredient in Tuscany's signa-
ture dish, bistecca alla fiorentina.

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Castiglion Fiorentino
POP 13,178
If you're driving from Arezzo to Cortona, be sure to stop en route at this picturesque
walled town to visit its impressively restored Cassero . Inside this huge medieval fortress are
the Pinacoteca Comunale (adult/reduced/child €3/2/0.50; 10am-12.30pm & 4-6.30pm Tue-Sat, 4-7pm
Sun Apr-Oct, 10am-12.30pm & 3.30-6pm Tue-Sun Nov-Mar) , with a small collection including Tad-
deo Gaddi's delightful Virgin and Child; the Museo Archeologico Sezione Antica e Medievale
(adult/reduced/child €3/2/0.50; 10am-12.30pm & 4-6.30pm Tue-Sat, 4-7pm Sun Apr-Oct, 10am-12.30pm
& 3.30-6pm Tue-Sun Nov-Mar) , which incorporates the remains of an Etruscan temple dating
from the end of the 6th century BC and an Etruscan house from the end of the 4th century
BC; and the Torre del Cassero (admission €1.50; 10am-1pm & 4-7pm Sun May-Sep) , a medieval
tower commanding panoramic views over the valley. A combined ticket costs €5 for adults,
€1 for children and €3 for a discounted ticket. There are wonderful views over the Val di
Chiana from the belvedere in Piazza del Comune, just below the Cassero.
A ZTL applies in the streets immediately surrounding the Cassero, but a public car park
is close by at Porta Fiorentina (€1 per hour). Also here is a tourist information booth (

0575

10am-noon & 4-6pm Tue & Fri, 10am-noon Wed, Thu & Sat) .

65 82 78; [e-mail] ;