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Val di Merse, in the province of Siena, includes the municipalities of Chiusdino, Monticiano, Murlo, and Sovicille. It is rich in historical and architectural landmarks, such as the Etruscan Museum, the medieval village of Murlo, and the Abbey of San Galgano dating back to 1218, with a Gothic-Cistercian style.

The valley is also rich in woods where, in the past, charcoal burners practised the ancient art of transforming wood into coal; to find out more, visitors should pay a visit to “Museo del Bosco” (“Museum of the Wood”) which exhibits some old charcoal pits. In the same area, there is also the Castiglione River and the Promenade of the Count.

Val di Merse offers some delicious treats as well when it comes to local food traditions: mushrooms of any type can be enjoyed in many recipes, as well as cured meat from the “Cinta Senese” – a local pig breed originating from the hills of Montemaggio della Montagnola and Chianti.

Today, the valley also thrives on tourism, especially farm-staying, thanks to the association “La Toscana da noi” – a network of hospitality services, farmhouses, bed & breakfast facilities, spas, rooms, apartments, hostels, restaurants, horse-riding and cycling opportunities.

Many tourists come here also for the famous waters of Farma and Petriolo, and the thermal baths of Petriolo.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)