The Val d’Orcia, south of Siena, is a spectacular mixture of art and landscape. It is so unique that Medieval and Renaissance artists painted here to capture the extraordinary light and breathtaking beauty.
The area is very well known all over the world – for example: Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient” was filmed here and introduced the architectural and artisitc treasures of Pienza, Montalcino, the abbey of Sant’Antimo, the monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena, the fortresses of Montalcino, Radicofani and Rocca d’Orcia, the medieval baths of Bagno Vignoni, and the ‘grancia’ of Spedaletto. Scenes in Andrei Tarkovsky’s film, “Nostalgia” were filmed in Bagno Vignoni. Scenes in “Under The Tuscan Sun” were filmed in Montepulciano and along the famous cypresses lined roadways of the Val d’Orcia.
The original landscapes, like the Lucciola Bella reserve, the white pines in Castiglione d’Orcia, the calanques (crete senese), the meandering paved roads dotted with cypresses and the white roads (strada bianca) which revealancient Tuscan farms, ‘grance’ and antique monasteries.
Five communities - Castiglione d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico d’Orcia – have recently approved the establishment of the Cultural, Artistic and Nature Park of the Val d’Orcia. They have organized a co-ordinated effort to manage and protect this pristine area. One of the first things the organization did was to trademark "Val d’Orcia", which will certify that the quality and origin of the five exquisite products produced locally: pecorino cheese, wine, oil, honey and saffron.
Other notable towns in the Val d’Orcia.
Cetona; Chianciano Terme; Chiusi; Montepulciano; San Casciano dei Bagni; Sarteano; Sinalunga
Torrita di Siena; Trequanda
Enjoy this short photo tour:
Thank you for sharing the beautiful sites of Italy. I'm going for the month of October and have made copies of many of you newsletters. We will be in the Chianti area. This is one area I won't miss. Thank you again for the great pictures.