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Siena's Val d'Orcia
In voyage, where landscape transforms itself into art.
From San Quirico d’Orcia to Chiusi: 44 KM.
The Val d’Orcia is a strong
symbol of the Land of Siena.
Cypresses, the so called “blue trees”, are the arrows
of a virtual compass. They are the sentinels of the
landscape that accompanies the traveler. The road that
ties the Land of Siena from west to east, uniting the
Val d’Orcia with the Val di Chiana is a natural
lookout point and, justly, famous.
The itinerary leaves from San Quirico d’Orcia.
The borgo merits absolutely a visit; the Collegiata
dei Santi Quirico and Giiulitta, the church of
the Misericordia, the Palazzo Pretorio,
Palazzo Chigi and the churches of Santa Maria di
Vitaleta and Santa Maria Assunta. Also
must-sees are the Horti Leonini, the gardens of
the 15th century designed by Diomede Leoni which
host expositions of contemporary sculpture.
From here we will go in the direction of
Pienza
on the beautiful ridge road that has grand vistas of the
hills that run into the distance. Soon you will come to
Pienza, an obligatory stop on this route. Pienza is
noted as an ideal town, creation and expression of a
humanist renaissance, founded on a new world inspired by
a cosmopolitan philosophy, tolerant and open. In order
to translate architecturally the values of this culture,
Enea Silvio Piccolomini entrusted the project to
Bernardo Gambaretti who was called “Il
Rossellino”. He was an architect of the school of
Leon Battista Alberti, capable of inventing a city
that would materialize the humanistic and renaissance
ideals. Work began in 1459 and after only three years
Pope Pius the Second deliberated the birth of the
city. The view of the street that wedges itself between
the Cathedral and Palazzo Piccolomini is superb;
the big sky panorama of the Val d’Orcia is unmistakable,
in the distance you can see the castle of Radicofani
and the large shoulders of Monte Amiata.
The trip continues onward towards Montepulciano.
The road seems to have been designed by a landscape
architect. The perfume of pecorino cheese will tempt you
to stop in one of the many farms that produce this
wonderful food, but then you’ll remember that you’ve
already stocked up on pecorino in the shops in Pienza.
Montepulciano is the other intermediate stage of our
voyage. It’s time to shut off the engines and trust your
own legs, Montepulciano is a city of great interest. We
highly recommend a walk into the underground cantinas
where it’s possible to taste one of Tuscany’s
prestigious wines, the Nobile of Montepulciano.
You will continue on towards Chianciano and
Chianciano Terme where the waters are virtually as
special as the wine. Here you can let yourself go,
taking care of your health and wellbeing.
In the final part of the trip you will leave the
poetic Val d’Orcia for the mysterious and fascinating
culture of the Etruscans which, in the city of Chiusi,
you will find an important reference point for. Here
history has ancient roots which can be found in the
signs left by the Etruscans. There’s a world to discover
in the underground catacombs and tunnels such as the
labyrinth of Porsenna. Fans of the Etruscan culture
will be sure to visit the National Archeological
Museum in Chiusi as well as those in Chianciano
Terme and Sarteano.
Courtesy of
APT Siena Tourist Office
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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