Orcia Valley / Val d’Orcia

Visit the Orcia Valley

Medieval castles, rolling hills, ancient hamlets, typical farms, isolated farmhouses, cypresses, extensive vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields…these are just some of the elements which make up the fantastic and harmonious landscapes of the Orcia valley! Crossed by the river Orcia, from which the valley takes its name, this beautiful region in southern Tuscany  passes along the provinces of Siena and Grosseto.
The entire area is now a protected park and has been  recognized as UNESCO world heritage site since 2004. The leader of the Val d’ Orcia is surely an unspoiled and wonderful nature, with ever changing colours according to the different seasons. There are few other places that impress tourists so deeply! It’s a land with an almost surreal and suspended atmosphere, which gave rise to the most valuable and appreciated Italian wines: Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso Orcia,  and other fabulous DOCG wines. The beautiful landscape of the Val d’Orcia have inspired many Renaissance painters.
You can admire and discover villages like Pienza, a true Renaissance monument designed by Pio II, the great humanist Pope;  San Quirico d’Orcia, of Etruscan origins, situated along the Via Francigena; Montepulciano, on the border between the Valdichiana and the Val d’Orcia, with its old city center which has retained the charm of its origins. And then Castiglion d’Orcia with its fortress, Abbadia S. Salvatore and its ancient Benedictine abbey, Radicofani which stands on a hill overlooking the valley, with its imposing watchtower. And of course Montalcino, dominated by the fortress dating back to the XIV century, which offers an unique view. Here it’s a must to stop for a glass of Brunello.