Our History

According to Hesiod’s Theogony, the Etruscan princes, who were related to the first witch Circe in Greek mythology, guarded the secret of the thermal baths located between Chiusi and Chianciano. Even in those times, miraculous healings were recorded there. In the 6th century BC, the great Etruscan king Porsena appreciated Chianciano thermal baths, as confirmed by some ancient tablets.

According to the testimonies of Varrone, Tibullo, and Orazio, during the period of the Roman Empire Terme di Chianciano became famous. Also, the Via Cassia was an important route that led directly from Arezzo to Chiusi. On the small hill called Sillene, bath plants’ remains, lead pipes, a beautiful bronze statue called “Apollo salute”, a stone statue called “Mater Matuta” and the chariot of Diana Sillene (III-IV century BC) have even been found. Today all these artifacts are housed in the Florence archaeological museum.

In the Middle Ages, the Goths and the Longobards took possession of this region, followed by Liutprando or Ildebrando (744) and by the Manenti Counts (976). In 1171, there was a deed of donation associated with the name of Chianciano and “Acqua Santa and Sillene”. The statutes of Chianciano date back to 1287 and mainly concern the patronage and maintenance of the baths.

At the time of the Italian city-states, Chianciano was shattered by the wars between Guelphs and Ghibellines and was fiercely fought by Siena, Orvieto, and Montepulciano, who claimed its waters. In 1349 Chianciano was under the patronage of Siena and in 1494 there was the definitive treaty of peace with Montepulciano.

In the first decades of the 1900s, Chianciano Terme attracted the attention and commitment of the most influential entrepreneurs of the time. Hence a company was founded and between 1920 and 1930 were erected neoclassical structures including Pompeian-style pergolas, which were destroyed when the Baths became government-owned property in 1940. Around the same time, the Sant’Elena diuretic water gradually rose in value thanks to another trader, whose heirs still own it. In the meantime, a new urban plan was designed by the architects Loreti and Marchi, who also designed the “Salone delle Feste” and the “Salone di mescita” in the Acqua Santa Park. The regulatory plan was presented for reviewing to the Municipal Technical Office of Chianciano in 1958 and then approved in 1961.

Chianciano Terme is a well-organized SPA and its thermal waters are internationally recognized. Its board of medical directors relies on the most advanced diagnostic systems and well-managed health facilities. Recently, Chianciano Terme changed its geography and comprises both an SPA and a village. In this context, the modern spa district and the ancient village definitely have a joint urban plan. New roads, villas, guesthouses, hotels, and shops have been built in the immediate neighborhood.