Museo Archeologico del Chianti
Museum in the medieval Rocca of Castellina in Chianti devoted to the Etruscan history of the Sienese Chianti, with the Montecalvario chariot and a visit to the tower.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum opened in 2006, about a century after the excavation of the great Etruscan mound of Montecalvario, the monumental tomb of the lords who ruled the Castellina territory at the end of the 7th century BC. It is housed in the medieval Rocca of Castellina, the Florentine keep (cassero) built from 1401 on the remains of earlier structures destroyed by Sienese troops in 1397.
The collections come from scientific excavations and chance finds made in the four municipalities of the Sienese Chianti: Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Castelnuovo Berardenga. The route follows the history of the area from the prehistoric shepherds, about 4,000 years ago, to the age of the Etruscan princes and to the fortified settlements and sanctuaries of later centuries.
Alongside the finds, including the reconstruction of the Montecalvario parade chariot, the visit includes the Rocca itself, with the intermediate walkway and the top of the tower, which opens onto a wide view of the village and the Chianti hills. The museum also offers educational activities for schools, families and adults.
Highlights
- Reconstruction of the Etruscan parade chariot from the Montecalvario mound, decorated with bronze and iron plates
- Lion's head from the Montecalvario mound
- Carnelian scarab from Cetamura and fragments of a large Attic black-figure vase from Poggione
- Section on wine and oil in Etruscan Chianti
- Climb up the tower of the Rocca with views over the Chianti
Permanent exhibitions
- Percorso permanente: dall'alba della storia ai principi etruschi – The route presents finds from the Sienese Chianti from prehistory to the age of the Etruscan princes, with the Montecalvario chariot and the lion's head.
- Insediamenti, fortezze e santuari – Section on fortified hilltop settlements and cult sites of the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, and on wine and oil production in Etruscan Chianti.
- Founded
- 2006
- Director
- Marco Firmati
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50Children aged 7 to 18, university students and holders of vouchers for stays in the Municipality of Castellina in Chianti |
| Children & teens | €6.50free up to age 6 · Free admission from 0 to 6 years; reduced ticket from 7 to 18 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with certified disabilities. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €5 per personReduced rate for groups of at least 15 people; compulsory-school groups €3; groups with combined educational activity €1. |
| Carnet of 10 tickets | €45Available from local businesses; expires on 30 December 2026. |
Free admission also for official tourist guides, ICOM card holders, employees of the Ministry of Culture, accompanying teachers of school groups and groups, school pupils and residents of the Municipality of Castellina in Chianti.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum offers educational activities for children, young people, families and adults, summer workshops in Italian and, on request, in English, museum camps and the young people's guide “GiocaMuseo”.
Getting there & parking
From Florence: take the Raccordo Firenze-Siena towards Siena, exit San Donato, then continue to Castellina in Chianti. From Siena: SR 222.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Booking is required both for guided tours and for groups with their own guide. |
