The notary Donato di Becco was born around 1280. He lived in a time overshadowed by the dark specter of the plague. Despite the terror the epidemic spread, Donato did not hesitate to stand by the afflicted, offering his professional skills and his heart to draft the last wills of those nearing death.
The gate that welcomes travelers coming from Siena along the Lauretana road is the only surviving one of the defensive circuit that once protected Asciano.
It is known as "Porta del Bianchi" or "de’ Bianchi," named after the nearby estates of this historic family.
The Silo, promoted by the Agricultural Consortium of Siena and Grosseto, was an advanced structure for its time, capable of sieving, sorting, and storing large quantities of grain. Its massive size, which still makes it the tallest building in Asciano, has earned it the nickname “skyscraper”.
Built in the second half of the 19th century at the behest of Cavaliere Carlo Bianchi Bandinelli, the stables were part of a large estate that included the nearby family palace and other agricultural outbuildings, such as the cellar below.
Constructed also with materials salvaged from the dismantling of part of the ancient city walls, the building impresses with its unexpected elegance: inside, travertine columns and brick arches create a harmonious and timeless space, originally designed to shelter horses but crafted with a rare architectural taste for a service building.
The original structure was severely damaged during World War II, and today only a few masonry elements remain: the right jamb, a springing corbel, and part of the arch ring, with well-cut travertine blocks still bearing visible marks from traditional stonecutting tools, such as the toothed chisel and ribbon chisel.
The building was originally designed as Casa del Fascio, as part of the urban plan promoted by the podestà Gino Tesi in 1934. The inauguration took place on November 27, 1938, in the presence of the fascist leader Achille Starace, as documented by municipal records and historical photographs. The town was decorated with drapes, flags, and banners, and the ceremony included parades and public speeches at the nearby "G. Marconi" stadium.
The construction of the convent began in the 14th century and was made possible thanks to a generous donation by Bacco del Priore, a nobleman from Siena, who in 1332 left several nearby buildings to the friars—structures that were later incorporated into the new complex
Inaugurated on April 17, 1871, the whashhouses were built to provide a public and hygienic place for washing clothes at a time when many homes, especially in the poorer neighborhoods, lacked running water.
In the heart of Asciano, overlooking Piazza Garibaldi and facing the Town Hall, stands an imposing 19th-century building that once housed the District Court and Mandamental Prisons, a tangible testament to the village’s long judicial tradition.
