Surrounded by and overflowing a double ring of medieval city walls, Sarteano is a small hill town (530 m. elevation; pop. @ 4500) in southern Tuscany on the ridge of Mount Cetona. The town itself dates from the early Middle Ages but the area, between the lower valley of the Chiana River (Val di Chiana) to the east and the beautiful valley of the Orcia River (Val d’Orcia) to the west, was inhabited much earlier by the Etruscans, whose burial sites and tombs are scattered about the town and countryside.

 Sarteano is crowned with the ruins of a castle dating from around 1100.  There are a number of lovely and ancient churches in the town, including the 16^th century (ex) Convent of Santa Chiara (now home to an elegant restaurant). A very interesting Etruscan museum is found in one of the Renaissance palazzi built into the city walls; there is a restored and active (with theatrical and musical events) 19^th century theatre, Teatro degli Arrischianti, on the main piazza (Piazza XXIV Guigno). An outdoor market is held weekly in the Piazza Ippocrati.

The annual Giostra del Saracino takes place every August 15^th. Horses from each of the “contradas,” or parishes, compete, passions run high, but Sarteano’s “Joust of the Saracen” is a more peaceful (but no less colorful) event than Siena’s Palio. Citizens promenade in medieval garb, and with its feasting and revival of old traditions,  the event is attended by many visitors and the entire population of Sarteano.

Also in the town is a beautifully landscaped municipal pool fed by thermal springs (which abound in this part of Tuscany), with adjacent tennis courts, located a couple of minutes walk from the central square. And these are but a few of the many highlights of Sarteano itself.

            The general atmosphere in the town is friendly and welcoming. There are many  interesting shops selling local goods. Tourists are important to the town’s economy, but they are certainly not its raison d’etre. Sarteano’s citizens seem proud of their town and happy to share its many pleasures. See: “Guide to walking in Sarteano”.