Asciano, City of Ceramics

Inaugurated on May 18, 2002, the Corboli Museum is considered “one of the finest small museums in Italy” and is recognized as a “Museum of Regional Significance” by Tuscany. The building, dating back to the 1200s, has undergone many changes over the centuries. It spans three floors, preserving rare painting cycles of historical and artistic value. The exhibition path, which includes collections from the Museum of Sacred Art and the Etruscan Museum, is divided into three sections: art, archaeology, and ceramics.

Once part of an ancient defensive tower along the town walls, Palazzo del Podestà tells a fascinating story through its facade, adorned with the crests of the podestàs who governed this land from the 15th century onward. Over the centuries, the building has evolved, adapting to the times. Originally a symbol of political power, it later became the “Ravvivati” Theater, a lively cultural venue that enriched the social life of Asciano until the last century.

In the heart of Asciano, in a district popularly known as "il Cocciaio," lie the remains of one of the last ceramic kilns, dating back to the 19th century. This kiln belonged to the renowned Francini family, esteemed ceramists since the 18th century. Their craftsmanship was so highly regarded that it reached beyond the borders of Tuscany, establishing Asciano as a center of excellence in ceramic production.

First mentioned in documents from 1029 and 1040, this church took on the role of the ancient parish of St. Hippolytus. Its design follows a Latin cross plan, crowned by a hemispherical dome set within an octagonal lantern, rising gracefully at the intersection of the transept and nave. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the nave was expanded in the Gothic style. In 1542, the church was elevated to a Collegiate Church, and in 1991, it attained the rank of Basilica, solidifying its importance in the local religious tradition.

Dating back to the 13th century, this church is an emblematic example of Franciscan architecture, reflecting the values of simplicity and humility cherished by St. Francis of Assisi. The adjacent convent, now divided into private residences, still shows traces on the facades surrounding the ancient cloister. The church preserves frescoes and various artworks, including a Madonna and Child by the Della Robbia family; other masterpieces are displayed at the Palazzo Corboli Museum.