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THEY STAY AWAY

Scansano has achieved worldwide fame for its Morellino di Scansano, a true nectar.

Thanks to the strong income obtained from local producers, this red wine competes well with Chianti. Frances Mayes also mentioned it in her Under the Tuscan Sun.
The Scansanesi are clearly proud of their Morellino, and would be able to chat about tannins and vintages all day.
For the most part, winemaking is a family tradition, an essential part of the material and cultural heritage as it has been for hundreds of years. It could even be almost a crime not to be an oenophile in Scansano.
Tourist office: Palazzo Pretorio (0564 509106)

TO BE SEEN

The historic center of Scansano begins in Piazza Garibaldi. From here, continue down via Vittorio Emanuele to find gourmet shops stocked with Morellino di Scansano, local cheeses and anise-flavored biscuits called pizzelle. At the end of the street is the Palazzo Pretorio, which was once the city prison and now houses the Museum of Vine and Wine and the Archaeological Museum.
Continue to the Church of San Giovanni Battista, which despite its modest external appearance, preserves an interesting art collection inside. The Madonna and Child with Saint Anne to the left of the altar, created in the 17th century, attracts the eye from the room in front. Nearby, Our Lady of Mercy wraps her blue velvet cloak around the priests in another magnificent painting from the same century. Also admire the ceramic relief of the Madonna and Child by Andrea della Robbia; it dates back to 1490 and is believed to be one of the first independently painted tabernacles.

MUSEUMS

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

(Palazzo Pretorio; June-September: every day except Monday: 10am-1pm and 2.30-5.30pm / April-May and October: weekends: 10am-1pm and 2pm: 30-17:30; 0564 509402; €3).
Most of the artifacts on the first floor of this museum come from the nearby Etruscan settlement of Ghiaccio Forte (page 186). They tell a story of ancient gourmets with banquets, glasses and vineyards. The Etruscans of Scansano had in fact learned winemaking from the Greeks, and soon their wine was exported throughout the ancient world. Each clay container had a specific purpose. Large black bucchero vessels were used to mix wine with water, honey or herbs to make it tastier. The smaller plates were used to serve drinks. On the second floor there are other pieces of Scansano’s ancient history: the swords and spears on display were the payment by the ancient Gauls in exchange for wine. The Etruscan and Roman clay or bronze statues represented the various deities and were used for worship: the clay body parts are particularly interesting, as they were used during prayer. For example, if one had a stomach ache, a clay model of it was offered to the gods in the hope of healing.
In the cellar, the small Museum of Vine and Wine is included in the entrance fee. Its collection includes grape presses and oak barrels from the turn of the last century, and offers information on the various wines and winemaking processes used in the area.

NEAR SCANSANO

STRONG ICE

(take the SS 322 from Scansano to Manciano and follow the signs)
Ghiaccio Forte was once a majestic Etruscan city; today you can still see the remains of the houses and the city walls, which date back to the 6th century BC. C.

EVENTS & WINE

Grape Festival

Third end of September

A great opportunity to try one of the best wines of Italy in its natural environment with wine tastings and gourmet dinners.