Chiusi

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For the town in the Province of Arezzo, see Chiusi della Verna. Not to be confused with Chiusa.
Chiusi
Comune
Città di Chiusi

Coat of arms
Chiusi
Location of Chiusi in Italy
Coordinates: 43°01′N 11°57′E / 43.017°N 11.950°E / 43.017; 11.950
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Siena (SI)
Frazioni Chiusi Scalo, Macciano, Montallese, Querce al Pino
Government
 • Mayor Stefano Scaramelli
Elevation 398 m (1,306 ft)
Population (31 March 2009)
 • Total 8,842
Demonym Chiusini
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 53043, 53044, 53040
Dialing code 0578
Patron saint Sta. Mustiola and St. Secondianus
Saint day 17 June
Website Official website

Chiusi (Etruscan: Clevsin; Umbrian: Camars; Ancient Greek: Klysion, Κλύσιον; Latin: Clusium) is a town and comune in province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy.

Figure from Chiusi - Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, Germany

History

For ancient history, see Clusium.

Clusium (in Etruscan) was one of the more powerful cities in the Etruscan League. Chiusi came under the influence of Rome in the 3rd century BC and was involved the Social War.

In 540 AD it was occupied by the Ostrogoths and was later seat of Lombard duchy. From the 11th century it was under the rule of the local bishop, and was later contended by Orvieto and, from 1231, Siena, belonging to the latter until 1556, when it was annexed to the Grand duchy of Tuscany.

Main sights

The lowlands around Chiusi are a treasure trove of tombs for this civilization. The Etruscan Museum of Chiusi is one of the most important repositories of Etruscan remains in Italy.

Other sights include:

  • The Romanesque Cathedral (Duomo) of San Secondiano, built around 560 AD over a pre-existing basilica, and renovated in the 13th century. It has a nave and two aisles supported by antique columns. The Sacrament Chapel houses a Nativity and Saints by Bernardino Fugai. It has a separated bell tower which was turned into a defence tower in 1585. Under the tower is a Roman swim pool dating from the 1st century BC.
  • The so-called "Labyrinth of Porsenna", a series of tunnels under the town, built in the 6th-5th century BC and probably utilized in Etruscan-Roman times for drainage of rain waters. According to Pliny the Elder (Naturalis historia, XXXVI, XIX, 91-93), the Labyrinth was part of a monument including the sepulchre of the King Porsenna.

Transportation

Chiusi is served by a gate on the A1 Highway. It is also served by a station on the railway connecting Rome to Florence (Chiusi-Chianciano Terme).

Twin towns

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chiusi.


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