Sansepolcro (City of Piero della Francesca)

Sansepolcro is a town located in the heart of the River Tiber Valley, at the feet of the Tuscan Apennines Mountains. Sansepolcro preserves a very important artistic heritage. Its economy is based on agriculture, while the industry includes manufacturing, food processing, and pharmaceutics. The bell-towers of the Church of San Francesco and of the Badia, as well as the present-day Cathedral are easily recognized for the recurring architectural elements in many of Italian artist Piero della Francesca's works. The town of Sansepolcro, which surrounds the large Benedictine Abbey, has conserved its medieval urbanistic structure and has, over the centuries, been enriched by important Renaissance and Baroque buildings. The Museo Civico houses works of artist Piero della Francesca, such as La Resurrezione, the polyptych of La Misericordia, San Giuliano, and San Ludovico are evidence of the genius of the master of the early Renaissance. In the Cathedral, the Volto Santo, a wooden crucifix from the Carolingian period, is of great interest. Next to the Cathedral is the Palazzo delle Laudi, which today houses the Town Hall. Other architectural and artistic treasures are to be seen throughout the historic center, such as the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Church of San Francesco. A visit to the church of San Lorenzo, which contains a painting of the Deposizione by Rosso Fiorentino is a must.

Alpe della Luna Nature Reserve

The Nature Reserve covers a wide area from the watershed of Alpe della Luna, degrades both towards Valtiberina and towards the Marche region. The total area is of 3805 acres while its altitude goes from about 1400 to 4200 feet. It is mainly large woodland. At higher altitudes, the beech wood dominates, while at lower altitudes there are woods made of Turkey oaks, hop hornbeams, etc. The uniqueness of Alpe della Luna lays in its great isolation, which has preserved its wilderness. There are no important communication roads, but small pathways and trails for hikers. No important settlements are found within its perimeter.

Afra river

Near the excavation site, the Afra river creates a natural pond where it is possible to swim during breaks. Remember to bring your swimsuits!

The Quaternary Studies Center of Sansepolcro (CeSQ) is a no-profit organization, and the product of a cooperation that has been developing for many years between the Ecology Prehistoric Research Unit of Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Siena and the local authorities of the Upper Tiber Valley. The CeSQ works in agreement with the University of Siena. The research focuses in prehistoric archaeology and palaeo-environmental studies. The CeSQ has laboratories and exhibition rooms open to the public where meetings, guided tours, lectures, practical workshops, and conferences to schools, visitors and citizens are possible. CeSQ is located in the historical center of Sansepolcro and it is free of architectural barriers. Through specialized operators it is also feasible for the visually impaired.