Why is Arcidosso famous?

Arcidosso is best known for its medieval Rocca Aldobrandesca and for David Lazzaretti, the nineteenth-century preacher nicknamed the “prophet of the Amiata”. Perched on the slopes of the Monte Amiata, the village was fortified by the Aldobrandeschi; in 1331, it came under the control of the Republic of Siena after a siege. The castle still dominates the historic centre: it’s the most obvious landmark as you wander through the narrow streets.

Lazzaretti is the other distinctive feature of the place: his movement blended religious and social aspirations, and his story can be discovered at the Study Centre dedicated to him in the castle. Arcidosso also has a less expected side with the MACO, a museum of Eastern art and culture housed in the former Chancery Palace. Its collection includes more than 5 000 objets linked in particular to the arts and cultures of Asia; it is connected to the presence of the Dzogchen community of Merigar, established in the region since 1981. In practice, mainly plan on a visit to the village and the castle to understand its history; check the opening hours of the museum spaces before coming, as they may vary depending on the season.