Foiano della Chiana - A small
agricultural town, with some light industries, near the Chiana
plain.
From the gate a road leads up to Piazza
Cavour where Palazzo Comunale faces the well restored Palazzo
Monte Pio. It was built by Ferdinando II de' Medici as a hunting
lodge and used as such up to 1670 when it became the pawn
shop. It now contains offices belonging to the Comune.
A modern flight of steps leads down
to the left and across Corso Vittorio Emanuele (which has
an 18C loggia) to the church of San Michele Arcangelo, with
a pretty exterior and campanile. It contains fine carved confessionals
and benches dating from the 17C, and 15C choir stalls. On
the second south altar is a Madonna of the Rosary by Lorenzo
Lippi, and on the third north altar, an enamelled terracotta
of the Ascension by Andrea della Robbia and his son Giovanni
(1495-1500).
Off the south side is an oratory with
elaborate stuccoes in the vault and lunettes.
The corso continues to Piazza della Collegiata where there
is a well, imposing brick fortifications (including a restored
round tower) and a row of houses above brick bastions on either
side of Porta Castello. The Collegiata has a Baroque facade.
On the third south altar is a Madonna della Cintola (1502)
by Andrea della Robbia, and on the second north altar, a Coronation
of the Virgin, a late work by Luca Signorelli and his school.
Steps lead up through Porta Castello,
a double brick gate, to the church of Santa Maria della Fraternita
(ask at the Comune for the key) which contains a 17C ceiling,
cantoria, benches, organ, and gilded wood coffer. Four paintings
are attributed to Giovanni Camillo Sagrestani, and the beautiful
statue of the standing Madonna and Child is now thought to
be by Andrea della Robbia (c 1460) probably on a model by
his uncle, Luca.
Where is Foiano della Chiana: is located in the south
of Arezzo province, on the border with the province of Siena
How to reach Foiano della Chiana: From Arezzo follow
direction south and take the highway A1. Exit bettolle and
follow for Foiano della Chiana
Nearby: Visit Cortona, Sinalunga, Monte San Savino
Distances: Arezzo 40 Km - Florence 100 Km - Siena
53 Km
Correct name is Foiano della Chiana
Common mistakes are Folano, Follano, Fuiano, Ciana,
Kiana, Ghiana
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Foiano della Chiana
- Arezzo - Tuscany Italy
Foiano della Chiana 
