The Val d'Orcia with its magical landscapes, its nature and its traditions is unique in the world. Since 2004 is a UNESCO World Heritage site, called "a perfect landscape redrawn in the Renaissance, reflecting the ideals of good governance.
GENTLE AND HARMONIOUS LAND
The territory of the Val d'Orcia is a perfect combination of art and nature. The harmonious forms of hills covered by typical Tuscan cypresses give the feeling of being in a picture like the one preserved in the Palazzo Pubblico of Siena with the name of 'L’Allegoria ed Effetti del Buono e del Cattivo Governo" of 14th-century painter Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The scenary that the traveler is faced is nothing short of idyllic and charming: a lush olive groves, vineyards, chestnut groves is entwined with ancient farmhouses belonging to the middle ages, castles and stone towers.
BETWEEN HISTORY AND NATURE
The history of the Val d'Orcia is ancient, dating back five million years ago. The hills that we admire today are the result of millennia of clayey deposits on top of existing rocks. These sublime lands were often used to make films including Gladiator by Ridley Scott. The Val d'Orcia is a perfect mix of different natures, examples of this are the crete, the Badlands and the natural reserve of Lucciola Bella. Historical records of this rare beauty are visible near the towns of Montalcino, Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia and visiting the numerous abbeys including Sant'Antimo, le rocche di Radicofani and Rocca d'Orcia, medieval baths of Bagno Vignoni.
Traditions
Val d'Orcia is a land rich in traditions. Among the most famous include the fair that takes place in the municipality of Castiglione d'Orcia Il Maggio, a tradition which takes place on 30 April and 1 may in which a group of musicians through the countryside singing songs bodes well for season following. Another fair which attracts many tourists is Pienza e i fiori, a selling exhibition of high quality. La Festa del Barbarossa San Quirico d'Orcia is a medieval fair that takes place in the month of June since 1961.
Typical products
Val d'Orcia as Tuscany offers high-quality gourmet products: extra virgin olive oil; the cheeses and especially tasty Pecorino cheese known and appreciated throughout the world; full-bodied red wines, with a tradition of more than two centuries, like the Brunello di Montalcino, pici pasta format that is typically seasoned with garlic.
Municipalities
The territory of the Val d'Orcia affects the Sienese municipalities: Castiglione d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia. Other important locations for their peculiarities are: Bagno Vignoni, Bagni di San Filippo, Vivo d'Orcia, Rocca d'Orcia, Radicofani, Monticchiello.
Rating
0
