Rapolano Terme is a tourist stop for all those who want to breathe the authentic and genuine atmosphere that even today the Crete Senesi can grant and perhaps restore their body with the waters of the Terme di San Giovanni and the thermal complex of the Antica Querciolaia.
Here are 5 walks for you to enjoy these unforgettable places to the full.
1 "FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE ETRUSCANS"
This route is a bit 'challenging because it winds through the country's asphalt roads and dirt roads in the open countryside. I recommend that you provide stocks of water and precautions against the sun.
The route starts from the historic center of Rapolano, passing through the Archaeological Area of "Campo Muri", and reaches the site of the Mofeta, near the Terme San Giovanni.
The historic center of Rapolano is a limited traffic area, so I suggest you leave the car in the multi-storey car park right under Via Mazzini and then go up on foot (or by elevator) to the heart of the old town.
Departure from Piazza del Castellare (in the highest part of the historical center), then take Largo F.lli Cervi to reach Piazza Matteotti, completely paved in Rapolano travertine and overlooked by two important Churches for Rapolano (Church of Mercy and Church of Corpus Domini).
From there you go down Via dei Monaci, passing in front of the Church of S. Maria Assunta, and you arrive at the Porta dei Tintori which faces the countryside surrounding the town walls.
Keeping to the left, go along the Piana panoramic road, descend along a dirt road (always Strada comunale della Piana), turn left before the railway underpass until you reach the intersection with Via della Pieve on the right.
At the crossroads turn right into via della Pieve (white road), cross the level crossing and reach the Romanesque church of San Vittore.
From there the path winds through cultivated and rural areas until you reach the archaeological area of Campo Muri.
From the archaeological area, along a dirt road a bit 'impervious uphill, along the establishment of the Terme San Giovanni and, continuing, we reach the end of the path, arriving at the site of Mofeta di Bossoleto.
2 "THE TRAVERTINE: FROM THE CAVE TO THE WORKS"
The path, completely paved with travertine extraction and local processing, starts from the historic center of Rapolano Terme and winds along the Via Provinciale Nord, towards the Parco dell'Acqua, adjacent to the Terme Antica Querciolaia.
Along the way, easily walkable because inside the inhabited center, you can admire some of the stone sculptures made under the project "The Walk Found".
The historic center of Rapolano is a limited-traffic area, so it is advisable to leave your car in the multi-storey car park right under Via Mazzini and then go up on foot (or by elevator) towards the heart of the old town.
The departure is from Piazza Matteotti, which, completely paved in local travertine, overlooks, through the Porta Nuova, on the inhabited center below.
Going down on the right, you go along via Mazzini up to the intersection with Via Provinciale Nord.
From there continue to the left on Via Provinciale Nord, cross the level crossing until you find the intersection with Via Vittorio Veneto on the right.
Take Via V. Veneto and continue to the parking lot that gives access to the Parco dell'Acqua, an extensive green area adorned with many local travertine sculptures made by Italian and foreign authors.
3 "THE RISORGIMENTO IN RAPOLANO TERME"
This route is immersed in a completely agricultural area, among orchards, olive groves and vineyards, in the splendid scenery of the Sienese countryside.
The route is completely on a dirt road and with few areas of shade, so we recommend certain precautions against the sun in the summer season.
The departure is located near large parking areas for cars.
The journey starts at the Fonte di Arunte located in the Parco dell'Acqua, in front of the Terme Antica Querciolaia plant.
From there, keeping to the left, follow Via delle Terme, past the underpass of the SGC 223, taking a white road on the right towards the Castle of Modanella.
Continuing on the dirt road you meet on the left the points of interest of the route, that is the Risorgimento farms, which however cannot be visited as you cannot access the interior spaces: Villa Buoninsegna, Poggio Santa Cecilia (located in the hill above), Poderi Solferino, San Martino, Curtatone and Montanara.
At the end of the path you reach, on the right, the village that contains the Modanella Castle, which can be visited by tourists.
4 "THE VILLAGES OF RAPOLANO"
The route develops in the historic center of the village of Serre di Rapolano and is easy to follow.
You can leave your car in a large parking area also dedicated to the bus stop, from which, climbing a flight of stairs, you enter via Serraia which leads directly (keeping right) to the Castello Gori Martini, start route.
Arrived at the Gori Martini Castle, located in Piazza XX Settembre, crossing Porta di Serraia, go down along via Matteotti and, about halfway to the left, there is a side street, via del Teatrino, which leads right to the small Teatrino Gori-Martini of Serre (visible by appointment with the municipal tourist office).
Continuing along Via Matteotti, you reach Piazza Biagini's Gold Medal, the heart of the village of Serre, where the Central Chapel is located.
Then taking Via Fratelli Rosselli and going through the inner alleys of the Frazione, you reach the monumental complex, at the time owned by the Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala of Siena, called "Grancia", currently used as a museum of ancient Grancia and oil (visitable by appointment with the municipal tourist office).
Going down Via Fratelli Rosselli we find ourselves in front of the Porta di S. Lorenzo.
Cross the Porta, turning left, follow Via dell'Orlo, at the end of which we reach the end of the path finding on the left the Porta di S. Andrea, from which we reach Piazza Medaglia d'Oro Biagini.
5 "WATER IS LIFE"
This path, of medium / high difficulty, starts from the Parco dell'Acqua in front of the Terme Antica Querciolaia and climbs up to the source in the locality of "Stitelli".
Along the route, almost completely on a dirt road, you cross a large wooded area, with inaccessible and not maintained slopes, therefore it is advisable to get a map.
It should also be noted that the considerable difference in level requires an adequate physical preparation both for those who walk on it and on mountain-bikes.
The departure is located near large parking areas for cars.
The journey starts at the Fonte di Arunte located in the Parco dell'Acqua, in front of the Terme Antica Querciolaia plant.
From there, keeping to the left, follow Via delle Terme, past the underpass of SGC 223, taking a dirt road to the right.
Continue on the same dirt road until you turn left just before Villa Buoninsegna, taking a narrow white road completely immersed in the woods and uphill, which reaches the source of "Stitelli".