Chianciano Terme
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| Comune di Chianciano Terme | |
|---|---|
| Country | Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Siena (SI) |
| Mayor | Guido Bombagli |
| Elevation | 475 m (1,558 ft) |
| Area | 36.5 km² (14 sq mi) |
| Population (as of Dec. 2004[1]) | |
| - Total | 7,223 |
| - Density | 198/km² (513/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Chiancianesi |
| Dialing code | 0578 |
| Postal code | 53042 |
| Patron | St. John the Baptist |
| - Day | june 24 |
Location of Chianciano Terme in Italy | |
| Website: www.comune.chianciano-terme.siena.it | |
Chianciano Terme is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 90 km southeast of Florence and about 50 km southeast of Siena.
Chianciano Terme borders the following municipalities: Chiusi, Montepulciano, Pienza, Sarteano.
Contents |
[edit] History
Chianciano Terme can trace its history back to the 5th century BC and the Etruscans, who had built a temple dedicated to the god of Good Health, close to the Silene springs where the newer quarter of Chianciano (the Terme section) stands today.
News of the curative power of Chianciano's water became well known during Roman times, as Horace visited the area on the advice of his physician during the 1st century BC. Luxurious Roman vilas were built in the area near the thermal baths.
There is little archaeological evidence of much activity during the Middle Ages, but, by the 12th and 13th centuries, Chianciano belonged to the Manenti Counts, Lords of Sarteano. Its position close to the Via Francigena (the medieval main connection from Rome to France) fostered its development, and Chianciano reached a degree of judicial autonomy by 1287 when it established it own statutes.
In the 14th century, the city states of Orvieto and Siena contended for it, with Siena being the ultimate victor.
The first decades of the 20th century saw the area around the springs (the Terme section) draw the attention of developers. Between 1920 and 1930 neoclassical establishments with Pompeian-style bowers were built, then destroyed in 1940 when the Fascist-controlled state took possession. While under state control, a new town plan was designed by architects Loreti and Marchi who also designed some spas in the Acqua Santa Park. The town plan was adjusted by the Town Technical Office of Chianciano in 1958 and passed in 1961.
[edit] Tourism
Present day Chianciano Terme has two distinct areas: Chianciano Vecchia (Ancient Chianciano) is located atop a small hill. The Porta Rivellini, with its elegant Renaissance structure, is the main gateway into the town at the end of the Via Dante. In contrast to this is the modern quarter, the Terme, whose nucleus has grown around the thermal springs and stretches northward in a crescent shape along the Vale della Liberta towards the older city.
Today, the Terme section is considered among the finest health resorts in Italy with its parks, numerous hotels and especially its therapeutic water that is reputed to cleanse the liver via an increase in the production and excretion of liver bile. Among the more notable spas are: Acqua Santa, Acqua Fucoli, Acqua Sillene, Acqua Santissima (which also advertises itself as a spa for those with respiratory problems), and Acqua Sant'Elena (also advertises itself as having calcic-alkaline bicarbonate in its water to treat kidney and urinary tract problems).
[edit] Demographic evolution
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[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website (Italian) (English) (German)
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