Summer Solstice in the Crete Senesi
In the Northern hemisphere June 20th is the day with the longest span of daylight. Called the summer solstice, it is also known as midsummer, where many cultures mark this day with festivities, especially in Europe. In different parts of the world, it is often considered the start of summer.
We have imagined our own kind of tradition, and that is to visit the Site Transitoire to toast the beginning of the summer months with a glass of wine. Since we are residents of the township of Asciano, which is within the Crete Senesi (Clay Hills of Siena), we often visit this site for a short hike to take in the breathtaking views. If you have never visited the Crete Senesi, we recommend doing so. It is an extraordinary place, just a short drive, south of Siena.
The Term Crete Senesi means Clay Hills of Siena.
In 1993 French artist Jean-Paul Philippe built a noble rock sculpture and named it Site Transitoire. It is comprised of various stones to mimic furniture, including a throne, a bench, and a window. If you sit on the throne, you have a perfect view out through the window. His original notion was that if a traveler should wander by, they ought to have the option to sit, stand, or lie, and take in the fantastic views.
To quote, the artist says of his work: "Completing this piece, installing those stones, I realized that they outlined in light and space the boundaries of a house: a residence without walls and with an invisible threshold. A few slabs on the ground, a seat to welcome passers-by, a bench, a window, and the vault of the sky for a roof".
We enjoy visiting this special spot on the summer solstice because the artist Philippe has perfectly aligned the position of the sculpture so that the sun sets precisely in the middle of the window on this date.
On June 20 the Sun sets perfectly inside the window.
Enjoy the video below of our evening, where we enjoyed a glass of Rosato Toscano from Azienda Agricola Losi, made with 100% Sangiovese, which we think perfectly matched this occasion.
We would love to share this with you.
Italy Unfiltered offers personalized wine or sightseeing itineraries for small groups in Tuscany specializing in Chianti, Brunello, Vino Nobile winery tours. Daily trips or multi-day tours, Italy Unfiltered will meet you at your location and take you on an insider, local wine tasting or sightseeing itinerary. An authentic Tuscan experience awaits you with ITALY UNFILTERED. Visit our website for more about our Tuscany tours and personal English speaking native driver. contact us today!
Servicing Siena, Florence, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, and the greater Siena and Firenze provinces.