Buonconvento

Buonconvento, ancient resting spot for pilgrims and travellers of Via Francigena. Its traditional function is referenced by its name. Mostly conserved intact over time (despite some 19th-century external modifications) and since the beginning isolated among silent countryside. Still belted by the 1300-1400 wall, this small, lovely village, of true medieval imprinting, at first makes an impact for its chromatic homogeneity based in the red of the Sienese bricks, which make up the principle material in all of the constructions. The inhabited area is developed in a herringbone pattern along the principle axis of Via Soccini and is presented as an urban centre of extraordinary harmony. Walking along the alleyways of the little town it is like being immersed in an atmosphere of other times, where rhythms of life have really remained slow and on a human scale.  As for the monuments it is worth mentioning the splendid Palazzo Podestarile, small 14th-century building which is next to a civic tower, with façade open by two Gothic arches and decorated with 25 stone coats of arms of ancient podestà; then the picturesque Porta Senese, which conserves beautiful doors in original wood, the 14th-century Palazzo Borghesi. Then Palazzo Ricci-Socini, singular example of liberty style (style replicated in other buildings of the historic centre), realized at the beginning of the 1900’s on a design by the architect Gino Chierici: completely painted with representations of Art Nouveau. Here is home to the Museum of Sacred Art of the Arbia Valley, which houses collections of artistic patronage of the churches of the zone, including famous 1300-1400 Sienese paintings belonging to great masters as Duccio di Buoninsegna, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Andrea di Bartolo.