The Middle Ages is commonly considered as a dark and arcane age, it was however in Tuscany rich in beauty all over the region, also thanks to the Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Taking a walk through the mysteries, legends, faith and stories of this period, by visiting the marvelous abbeys built Tuscany between the 9th and the 10th century, prospered during the 11th and 12th centuries, fell into a slow but inexorable decline from the end of the 13th century, when the Italian city states started their ascent, and finally restored and brought back to their antique glory during the 20th century.
In the south of the region , a few kilometers away from Cortona, we can see the Abbey of Farneta
, located in the Valdichiana Valley, it has a long and original history and a breathtaking crypt, rich in archaelogical finds dating back to the Roman times.
Moving towards Siena we can find a nice valley set in the large green hilly space where last Chianti Mountains lick the Upper Valley of Arno River , there it is possible to admire the beautiful abbey of Badia a Ruoti, in the territory of Bucine, very potent in the past, when for a long time was the residence of the Bishop of Montepulciano.
if we prosecute towards Siena and turn right to Badia d’Ombrone, after 800 mt on a white road the wonderful Abbadia a Monastero,
in the territory of Castelnuovo Berardenga will show up. The splendid sacred building is surrounded by a green and soft meadow, a perfect backdrop to a picnic lunch .