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A TOUR AROUND VAL D’ORCIA
A visit to Val d’Orcia departs from San Quirico,
an old centre along the Via Francigena, which already during the
Middle Ages was a destination for travellers and pilgrims.
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The
characteristics of the medieval town is still preserved, with the
boundary wall from the 15th century and its 14 towers. In the heart
of the fascinating centre of San Quirico you should visit the Romanesque
Collegiata, built between the XII and the XIII century with two imposing
Romanesque doors, decorated with bas-relieves and sculptures. Inside
there is a beautiful triptych by Sano di Pietro representing the Madonna
with Child on a throne and four Saints.
At the back of the Collegiata you find the Palazzo Chigi, an
elegant building from the 17th century, richly decorated with wall
paintings by the Roman school. You also find the former Palazzo Pretorio,
with medieval parts around which today is the Centre of the Parco
della Val d’Orcia. The winding Via Poliziano with its medieval
houses is also worth to be seen. The street leads you to the Porta
dei Capuccini, a polygonal tower, which is perfectly preserved. Close
to the Porta Nuova you find the Horti Leonini, a nice and pleasant
Italian garden which was designed in the 16th century.
At San Quirico you can try the excellent “pici”, a particular
type of home-made pasta, the best cocked chicken in Val d’Orcia
and excellent escargots during the right season. In the surroundings
of San Quirico you ought to visit the beautiful Rocca d'Orcia,
a small medieval town completely preserved, dominated by Rocca di
Tentennano from where you have a marvellous view over Val d’Orcia.
In the middle of the square of Rocca d’Orcia you can admire a
water cistern which was built 700 years ago for the Castle. From San
Quirico you also reach Bagno Vignoni, a nice spa which was
already known during the Roman period and reached more notoriety during
the Middle Ages for its water. The small and fascinating town is concentrated
around the sulphurous water which was the ancient thermal baths. The
water bubbles at a depth of 1000 metres at a temperature of 52 degrees
and for the richness of sulphate and magnesium and calcium-sulphate
and is excellent for curing bone and mucous diseases. The water of
Bagno Vignoni is a panacea for the skin and both Lorenzo il Magnifico
and Caterina di Siena used to come here. The latter gave name to the
beautiful Loggia.
Almost at the northern slopes of the mountain Monte Amiata,
Castiglione d'Orcia preserves the powerful castle called Rocca
Aldobrandesca. The town is located around the square Piazza del Vecchietta,
a local painter and sculptor. His works are housed in the church called
Santi Stefano e Degna, with medieval origins and a façade from
the 15th century. Castiglione is known for the production of the best
extra virgin olive oil in the whole Valdorcia. Located in the green
forests of Amiata, Vivo d'Orcia preserves a marvellous hermitage,
the Palazzo Cervini and the Romanesque Chapel dell’Ermicciolo.
In the neighbourhood you ought to visit Campiglia d'Orcia,
located under “Sasso” (Stone), with medieval characteristics
at the Rione Dentro. The Palazzo dei Visconti called Campigliola should
be restructured, but the remains are still worth to be seen for the
great view. To end with, the Castle of Ripa d’Orcia, built
in the 14th century on a rock over Orcia, is one of the best preserved
castles of the whole valley and is worth a visit. |
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