FAI Spring Days

FAI Spring Days in Monteroni d'Arbia

Every year, on a weekend in March, the FAI (National Trust for Italy) throws open the doors to hundreds of sites across Italy that are usually closed or rarely accessible. It is the country's most important public event dedicated to cultural and landscape heritage, and in the municipality of Monteroni d'Arbia, in the province of Siena, it features an exceptional protagonist: the Grancia di Cuna.

The Grancia di Cuna, a 14th-century fortified jewel

Nestled in the Sienese countryside along the Via Cassia, the Grancia di Cuna is one of Europe's best-preserved examples of a medieval fortified farm. Built starting in the early 14th century as a major grain storehouse for the Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, its purpose was to protect harvests and shelter pilgrims along the Via Francigena. Visitors are struck by the red brick surfaces, the massive grain storage volumes, and the characteristic internal umbrella-vaulted ramp, designed for the passage of carts and animals to the upper floors. During the FAI Days, it is possible to access areas usually closed to the public and discover the ongoing restoration work up close.

The fortified Mill and the Church of Santi Giacomo e Cristoforo

The Monteroni itinerary is not limited to the Grancia. In the town center, the millstone room of the fortified Mill on the Arbia river canal opens its doors, where guides share the history of the mill, the milling process, and the local area. The Church of Santi Giacomo Maggiore e Cristoforo is also included, housing 14th and 15th-century painting cycles that testify to the artistic wealth of this corner of Tuscany.

An event for all of Tuscany

The open sites in Monteroni d'Arbia are part of a packed regional calendar that every spring involves dozens of locations across all ten Tuscan provinces. The FAI Siena Delegation coordinates the local visits, led by local guides and volunteers, as part of an initiative launched in 1993 that has become a beloved tradition for Italians. Participating also means actively supporting heritage conservation: access is by voluntary contribution, and every donation helps the FAI in its mission of safeguarding.