The historical centre

Going through the main gate with its Etruscan round-arch original form, ruined during the last war, you reach Via Porsenna, borded on the right by Medieval and Renaissance buildings. At the end of the street spreads out Piazza del Duomo, where the subsoil was excavated many times and remains of a building likely dwelled by Porsena were found. In front of the church stands the Episcopal Palace; on the left, stands alone the Bell Tower, whose basement dates back to the XIII century; the most ancient part was probably built with fragments of buildings risen at the times of the bishop Lanfranco, who tried to obtain the control of Chiusi as count-bishop, in the XVI century.

The Cathedral was founded by the bishop Fiorentino in the VI century, completely adjusted in the XII century and most transformed in the XIX century. Inside, three aisles without the transept end each one with an apse. Columns supporting roud arches have different capitals coming from Roman buildings. In the right aisle, there is a font having on the top the statue of St. John the Baptist by the school of Andrea Sansovino. Between 1887 and 1894 the church was painted with a sham mosaic by Arturo Viligiardi, following pre-Christian and Romanesque iconographic criteria. From the Sacristy you get to the Chapter-House where some important illuminated codes coming from the Monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore are kept in a glass show-case.

Going away from the church you reach the Town Museum.

(This extract is taken from the Guide to Chianciano Terme and its outskirts by Mrs. S. Orienti and G. Vagaggini Poppi)