Chiusi in the past

Chiusi (Charmars "surrounded by bogs" and then Clusium) is likely to have been one of the most important urban centres of Etruria with its baffling and silent gods. In vain, the Romans tried to silence its great civilization, whose recollection put the Roman influence in the shade: In vain, they held to cause its end by battles won at the lake of Vladimonio (302.283 BC). Today Chiusi, so rich in discoveries, is likely to take vengeance for time and show its complete life and greatness. Today Chiusi is likely to be the most important town in the ancient discovered Etruria. That is why its history relies rather upon the direct truth of its sprighly and enigmatic Tombs like its gods, objects, paintings and evidence of a complex and civil life than its hazy recollections and legends.

It is enough to remember the famous Porsena King of Chiusi who was likely to help Tarquin the Proud to come to the throne of Rome (520 BC) and his son Arunte who was won by the Romans at Ariccia (506 BC). Titus Livy and Dionysius mention famous Porsena whose bravery made him be called as "the King of the Etruscans". The Locumonis were probably cultivated and keen on life in its most wonderful forms. Now they lie down on the lids of their sarcophagi, sly and quiet, and leave to us the anxious desire to search, perhaps in vain, their tongue and mistery.

We know that in 391 the region was invaded by the Gauls Senoni and that in 296, when Chiusi was already a Roman town, Fabius Maximus was quartered with his troops led by Lucius Scipio the vice-praetor of Etruria. It is doubtful that near Chiusi Silla and Papiro Carbone fought, as mentions an inscription kept in the town. In the Christian age, there were two catacombs: in the III century Chiusi was converted to the Christian religion and Vergine Mustiola of Chiusi was martyrized in the times of Aurelius.

The first Medieval document of Chiusi consists in a deed of gift of 1191 where Pope Celestine III gave local Bishop Mount Venere. It suggests an Etruscan environment, when going away from Tombe della Scimmia, below Montebello, we find it in front of us at the sun-set with a pine on its top, as if it watched over other sure discoveries. During the wars between Vitige and Belisario (536), as we know by Procopio, Chiusi was a very important stronghold, even all trough the Longobard period. In these times Regimbaldo, the last Duke of Chiusi as well as brave robber lived and disturbed his neighbour's borders.

Among Siena, Perugia and Orvieto, this latter had the possession of Chiusi, whereas in 1231 Siena conquered all the territories of Orvieto and, as a result, also this town. In 1289 the battle between the Ghibellines and the Farinatas degli Umberti took place near St. Mustiola bridge. Many times these important towns compete one onother the stronghold of Chiusi till 1414. Ladislao King of Naples conquered the whole Val di Chiana. Afterwards, Chiusi was given again to Siena which engraved its coat of arms in the tower of the XII-century stronghold. It rises on a very large Etruscan area full of subways and passages. In 1552 Ascanio della Cornia withdrew the town to Charles V. In 1556 it was under the influence of the Medicis. The statutes of Chiusi date back to 1530.

In the times of the Medicis, the Val di Chiana and outskirt around Chiusi were reclaimed and there was a more and more fast revival of this town. In the last century, since its Tombs were founded, these charming land of Chiusi cannot escape your notice, because it is here that the Etruscan civilization shows itself in a more clear and complete manner than anywhere.

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