A village where volunteering was born!!

Hello dearest friends!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend; for me, it was very relaxing because I also took a guided tour, but I’ll probably talk about that in another post. Instead, today I want to tell you about a place I discovered last week—actually, a place I already knew, because those who follow my posts will remember well that a few years ago I visited the town where this small village is located.

Today, I want to introduce you to Casciano, a hamlet of Murlo, a municipality in the province of Siena. This particular hamlet is located about 400 meters above sea level, nestled in the beautiful Metalliferous Hills.
After parking my car on the town’s main street, I started walking towards the Pieve of Saints Giusto and Clemente, a small church built around the year 1200. This time, I felt very lucky because I found it open. The church has a single nave and is very simple; it was probably rebuilt over time, as there are no frescoes inside.

As I continued my walk, I noticed how beautiful the houses are, with their exposed stone that immediately catches the eye. It’s wonderful to get lost in these narrow alleys—small but incredibly charming.
At one point, I found myself in a little square where, most likely, the town’s main bar, Virola, is located. There were some people there, chatting and socializing. I must say, it had been a long time since I had seen a scene like that, especially in such a small village.

I kept walking, observing the architectural structures, these truly solid and imposing houses. I have to say, it’s fascinating to take in every point of interest in the village because there is always something unique and characteristic to see.

As I continued strolling through the streets, I later discovered that the Pieve I had visited was once part of a female monastery, which was suppressed around the year 1400. Over the years, this place has always been home to volunteer initiatives, and some important associations were founded here—especially during and after World War II—to raise awareness about the true value of volunteering.

In fact, what stood out to me as I walked around and observed the people was this strong sense of collaboration—something that has probably been lost in big cities and even in many small towns. Living in a place like this likely allows for a different kind of social life, one based on mutual help and community spirit.

As always, I hope the photos I shared were interesting. This place was truly a great discovery, and in my opinion, it’s worth visiting. As I always say, stepping off the usual tourist routes can only be a positive thing, as it allows for a more authentic experience.

Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you in my next post! I wish you all a wonderful day!

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