Murlo

Murlo is situated on a hill at a height of 317 metres, in a commanding position on the watershed dividing the gentle cultivated Crete Senesi and the impervious wooded hills of the Maremma. It overlooks the deep valleys of the river Crevole and the wooded metallifere hills on one side, and offers a breathtaking view ofthe Crete on the other. Murlo Castle is located in the old Diocese centre whose history is on record since the year 1000. There has been absolutely no development in Murlo in modern times, so it remains as it has been handed down for centuries with its old houses built within the ancient walls; the way in through two gates, the main one still in its originaI state with a stone arch. All this keeps it looking like an old fortifìed centre, even though defence has been unnecessary since Siena was beaten in battle by Florence; it was restored in 1562 under order of the archbishop Francesco Bandini Piccolomini, from when its present-day appearance dates. Records of the Castle date from the 1189 document with which Pope Clemente III° gave the territory to the Bishop Bono, but it was definetely built earlier, maybe at the beginning of 1000. It was destroyed by the Imperial Army of Charles V° in 1554, but its special Statuto (legislation) of episcopal feud outlived the fall of the Sienese Repubblic; this special situation lasted till 1749, when it was abrogated by the Granduke of Tuscany Leopold II. The Palazzone is situated within the medieval walls, part of which go back to the 12th and 13th century. It was the residence of the Bishop of Siena from the year 1000, and today houses the , an Etruscan archaeological museum of worldwide importance; the church of San Forutunato which poses as a Cathedral, being the Bishop's. Some of the old houses have been transformed into welcoming bed and breakfasts and restaurants where the local dishes can be savoured; everything to make a perfect holiday.