Le Crete Senesi refers to an area of the Italian region of Tuscany to the south of Siena. It consists of a range of hills and woods among villages and includes the comuni of Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d'Arbia, Rapolano Terme and San Giovanni d'Asso.
An incredible naked landscape that is immense and bare, where nature appears to play with the surrounding elements. The countryside is almost lunar with occasional, red brick farmhouses and even fewer trees, particularly cypress trees that heroically stand out against the blue sky resting on barren hilltops. "Le Crete" can leave visitors disorientated, especially after seeing other Tuscan hillside areas covered in vineyards and dense woodland.
The intriguing and distinctive semi-desert landscape is harsh and wild, difficult to cultivate by anyone who is not an expert and who doesn't respect the laws of nature.
The wet clay and mud cause often fog and groundmist, especially in autumn.
These photo's are from late october 2009, most taken in two days in the very early morning. Le Crete is a beautiful area with rolling hills, farms and field and when you are lucky with wonderful light!