Just outside the medieval village of Chiusdino, travelling along a road that goes into the countryside of Val di Merse is the small and curious “Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie”, in which a sacred image depicting the Madonna delle Grazie is still revered.
This strong devotion is demonstrated by the care, attention, and gratitude that the faithful over time have shown toward the Virgin Mary, who, according to tradition, first appeared before a little girl who was sad and distressed because of her poverty and “hunger”.
After the meeting with the “Beautiful Lady” the little girl received fragrant bread, cheese and flour to feed her poor family several times as a gift. The good graces (grazie) continued century after century, as testified by the hundreds of votive offerings that are still in the Sanctuary today.
This is an itinerary of some difficulty and length. It leaves Siena toward the Val di Merse and its characteristic views, passing through Sant’Andrea a Montecchio and San Rocco a Pilli before entering the more wooded area at Brenna, near Merse.
From here the route is uphill to Monticiano and then Chiusdino without forgetting to visit the San Galgano Abbey complex along the way.
Having reached Chiusdino and in particular the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, the route returns toward Siena with the provincial road that passes through Frosini, Rosia and Sovicille, in an alternation of flat and hilly roads.
- The places of various artistic, cultural and religious interest are indicated in green on the map.
