Property for Sale in Rapolano Terme, Tuscany
Rapolano Terme is a spa town east of Siena, in the Province of Siena, on the edge of the Crete Senesi where the clay hills meet the Val di Chiana. It is known for its hot springs and for the travertine stone quarried around the town, and the homes for sale range from a town house to large farmhouses in the countryside.
The Town, the Springs and the Countryside
The walled centre is small, with brick and stone houses, a few churches and a lively main street. Just outside it are the thermal baths, fed by warm mineral springs that have been used since Roman times, and the pale travertine quarries that have supplied building stone across Tuscany.
The village of Serre di Rapolano, on a hill to the south, is built around a medieval grange of the Siena hospital. Neighbouring Asciano lies to the south-west in the heart of the Crete, while Castelnuovo Berardenga and Sinalunga are close by. Siena is a short drive west.
Property for Sale in Rapolano Terme
Farmhouses dominate, mostly large stone houses with eight or more bedrooms, land and outbuildings, priced in the region of €2 million to €2.5 million. A three-bedroom town house offers a much cheaper way in, at around €200,000.
Everyday Life and Getting There
The town has a supermarket, schools, a pharmacy and local shops, and the spas are open to residents as well as visitors. Siena provides the nearest hospital and a full range of services.
Rapolano Terme has a station on the line between Siena and Chiusi, and the Siena to Bettolle dual carriageway runs past the town towards the A1 Valdichiana exit and Perugia. Florence and Pisa airports are the usual choices, with Perugia as an alternative.
Buying in Rapolano Terme
Country properties near the quarries may be affected by dust, noise or heavy traffic, so visit on a working day and ask the comune about any planned extensions to quarrying. On the clay slopes, look for signs of movement in walls and floors.
Large farmhouses often include annexes, pools and converted barns added over many years. A local geometra should check that each of these is shown in the land registry and covered by a valid permit.