Sansepolcro
approx. 15 minBirthplace of Piero della Francesca, whose famous “Resurrection” hangs in the Museo Civico. A lovely old town with markets, restaurants and shops.
The region
Valtiberina: between Tuscany and Umbria
The Casale lies in the upper Tiber valley in eastern Tuscany. It is greener and quieter than Chianti, yet Arezzo, Cortona, Perugia and even Florence are easy day trips.
Places to visit
Lake Montedoglio
visible from the houseThe lake in the valley is great for walks and bike rides. In the evening the sun is reflected in the water.
Anghiari
approx. 20 minMedieval hilltop village with narrow lanes, listed among the “most beautiful villages in Italy”. Known for the Battle of Anghiari.
Caprese Michelangelo
approx. 25 minMichelangelo’s birthplace is now a small museum. In autumn the village holds chestnut and mushroom festivals.
Santuario della Verna
approx. 40 minFranciscan monastery in the forest, where Saint Francis is said to have received the stigmata.
Monterchi
approx. 25 minSmall village that is home to Piero della Francesca’s “Madonna del Parto”.
Città di Castello
approx. 30 minLively Umbrian town with museums, weekly markets and good trattorias.
Arezzo
approx. 45 minFrescoes by Piero della Francesca, the Piazza Grande and the big antiques fair on the first weekend of each month.
Driving times are approximate.
More day trips
Cortona, Perugia, Assisi, Urbino and San Marino are about 1 to 1.5 hours away, Florence and Siena about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Things to do
- ArtFollow Piero della Francesca from Sansepolcro via Monterchi to Arezzo.
- NatureHiking in the Apennines, cycling around Lake Montedoglio, walks through the olive groves.
- FoodPici pasta, truffles from the woods, pecorino, olive oil and wines from Tuscany and Umbria.
- Markets & festivalsWeekly markets, village festivals in summer and the Arezzo antiques fair.