The Montagnola Senese district lies west of Sienna, in an area which is still ruled by woodlands, granting man the occasional space in which to live and cultivate crops. It is a land which is generous in terms of environmental beauty and splendid landscapes, as well as works of considerable historical value. From the first Neolithic settlements to those of the Etruscans and Romans, from life in the Middle Ages to the present day, Montagnola has been always been intensely active, without ever being completely overcome by man's intervention. Despite a past rich in commercial trade, thanks to the presence of the Via Francigena, Montagnola has retained a historical feel, characterised by castles, churches, villages, hermitages, monasteries and farmhouses. As far as vegetation is concerned, there are vast chestnut woods, oak woods, age-old trees, mushrooms and various species of wild orchids. There are also quarries from which the beautiful marble (Montagnola yellow marble) used to embellish Tuscan and Senese monuments has been extracted since the Middle Ages. Montagnola's importance is confirmed by the fact that it is part of the Nature 2000 network, recognised as being a "sic site of importance at community level".