67 old tracks, extended over a surface of 600 square kilometres, which were recovered and transformed in tourist itineraries to be followed on foot, in mountain bike or on horseback. A true natural "network" which finds its inspiration in the logic of a tourism which is ever more compatible with the valorisation of environmental resources.

Following one of these trails means, for the careful visitor, entering the culture and the history of these places. Already since the Three hundreds, important painters of the Sienese school, such as Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Sano di Pietro and Sassetta, have depicted the landscape of the Clays.

Also in the modern era, various artists, poets, painters and sculptors - just consider the wonderful poems by Mario Luzi - came to this rough place seeking inspiration, while directors like Mario Monicelli and Bernardo Bertolucci have directed here some of their most significant films.

The paths have a thematic character and they guide the visitor to exploration of hidden places, ancient country churches, archaeological excavations of Etruscan and Roman age, as well as splendid farms, which have remained intact after the "escape from the country" of the Sixties.

So, just to make a few examples, you can follow the via Francigena trail, the medieval connectiong road between the North and Rome, where you can set out to the discovery of refuge hostels for pilgrims and countr churches. Or you can set out along the Grance del Santa Maria della Scala Trail, which connectes throughs econdary routes all the fortified structures of Cuna, Monteroni, Serre and Montisi. Or still follow the Etruscan itinerary of the Valle dell'Ombrone, which unites the archaeological excavations of the Molinello, Poggio Pinci, Campo Muri and La Befa.
(Photo: studio Album Fotografico - Livorno)

APT Siena
Via Francigena