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At 573 metres of elevation the classic hill town is situated on a spur of Mount Cetona.The top of the hill is occupied by a castle dating back to around 1100 and the towns municipal pool is fed by thermal springs of which there are many in the area.
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.
Apart from the old castle that is open for inspection, there are a number of lovely and ancient churches in the town. A very interesting Etruscan museum is found in one of the Renaissance buildings built into the city walls.
An outdoor market is held weekly in the Piazza Ippocrati and the town has a lively calendar of summer festivities including the palio which is held on 15 August.
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