The Village of Chiusure

Nestled on the scenic calanchi hills, the village of Chiusure tells the stories of a resilient and tenacious people.

Chiusure has a fascinating history dating back to the 12th century, when it was under the control of the Cacciaconti family of Asciano. In 1265, an important border castle of the Republic of Siena stood here, a strategic point during a period of tensions and conflicts. However, the site of the ancient fortress should not be confused with the current village of Chiusure, which, from the 14th century, was known as the Borgo di S. Angelo in Luco, named after the eponymous church (S. Michele Arcangelo) and where the majority of the population resided. The fortified structure was actually located just south, in a rugged area carved by the calanchi hills, which locals still traditionally refer to as “Castellaccio.”

In 1421, the castle collapsed dramatically among the steep gullies, due to the fragility of the ground it was built on. It was a dramatic moment for the population, who saw their main defense vanish. Two years later, in 1423, driven by the urgent need to find a safer location, they decided to fortify the village of Sant'Angelo a Luco, present-day Chiusure.

It didn’t take long before the works began. With dedication and effort, the inhabitants built a solid brick wall, an imposing structure that would grow over the following decades, becoming the bastion of their community. Today, walking through the streets of Chiusure, it is possible to imagine the hustle and bustle of those times, when every brick laid represented a hope for safety and rebirth.

Some remnants of the 15th-century city walls are still visible today, especially in the distinctive inverted pyramid-shaped crenellation, which can be seen in the upper part of the village. Interestingly, this feature also appears in an 18th-century watercolor, preserved at the nearby Abbey of Monte Oliveto!

Walking through the charming alleyways of the village, you can pass through the only remaining gate that once allowed access to the castle: the Porta Romana. With its imposing brick arch, this gate still welcomes travelers today, offering an enchanting passage to the past. Crossing it feels like stepping back in time, immersing oneself in the medieval atmosphere that has shaped the history of this place.