Val d’Orcia area

BAGNO VIGNONI (municipality of San Quirico d’Orcia – SI) – natural spa village

Spa: Piazza delle Sorgenti, Terme di Santa Caterina
Monuments: Parco dei Mulini (Mills Park)

It is a small village with medieval features, immersed in a typical Tuscan landscape, located in the Natural Artistic Park of Val d’Orcia. The name comes from the thermal source and from Vignoni, famous castle in the 11th century, whose ruins dominate the village. The town is known for its thermal baths, known since the Etruscan and Roman eras, and the many outbuildings spas. The baths were frequented by famous people such as Saint Catherine of Siena, Lorenzo Medici, known as “The Magnificent” and others. Despite numerous incidents of war, the appearance of Bagno Vignoni has remained largely unchanged. To see Parchi dei Mulini and Piazza delle Sorgenti.

BAGNI DI SAN FILIPPO  (municipality of Castiglione d’Orcia – SI) – natural spa village

It is a small spa town characterized by the presence of sulfur waters with therapeutic properties have been known since ancient times. Near the village there is the so-called “Fosso Bianco”, where the continuous passage of calcareous water left white concretions shaped waterfalls. Here is the cave of St. Philip Benizi, dug into one large block of travertine. According to a legend the saint took refuge in the cave to live as a hermit in 1267

CASTIGLIONE D’ORCIA (SI) – hilly nature >town

Castles:Rocca di Tintinnano
Itinerary:Treno natura (nature train)
Products and crafts:chesnut
Sports:trekking, mountain bike, riding

The territory is located in the center of Val d’Orcia and is mostly mountainous and hilly. The main village is spread over a hill which is part of the northern foothills of Mount Amiata. The clay geological formations, known as “crete” or “badlands,” they contrast with the green of forests. The area is part of the Artistic Cultural Val d’Orcia, ranked by UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

MONTALCINO (SI) – wine countryside town

Castles:Castle of Montalcino, Castle of Banfi
Churches:Cathedral of Montalcino, Abbey of Saint Antimo
Museums:Museum of Glass, Museum civic of Montalcino,  Museum of Brunello
Events:Jazz &Wine, Val d’Orcia Festival
Products and crafts:olive oil, honey, cheese, Brunello wine, Red wine of Montalcino DOC
Sports:  trekking, mountain bike, riding

The town is situated on top of a hill which offers excellent views of the surrounding valleys. The town’s name derives from the Latin mons Ilcinus, referring to the big extension of oak woods in the area. Montalcino still keeps intact the medieval appearance of defensive origin, crossed by narrow streets. From medieval times remain the walls that still keep the doors and part of the towers. The territory, which is part of the Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park of Val d’Orcia, is full of vineyards that produces wines of high quality as the famous Brunello. The town is also known for its qualified production of honey, extra virgin olive oil, cured meats and cheeses. In 2004 Montalcino and Val d’Orcia have been awarded “World Heritage”. To note the ‘ Sant’Antimo Abbey , the Glass Museum and the Museum of Brunello.

PIENZA  (SI) – town of art and urban architecture

Churches:Cathedral of Pienza, Monastery of Saint Anna in Camprena
Palaces:Piccolomini Palace
Museums:Museun of Pope, Tepotratos
Natural Reserves:Parco Artistico Naturale Culturale della Val d’Orcia (Natural Artistic Park of the Val d’Orcia area)
Events:Teatro Povero di Monticchiello (theater), Val d’Orcia Festival
Sports:trekking, mountain bike, riding

The history of the town is closely linked to that of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, born in the village and later became Pope Pius 2th. The pope wanted to transform the small medieval village called Corsignano Castle in the papal residence. The project was entrusted to Bernardo Gambarelli, called Rossellino. There are many palaces from 15th century located along the main street and the beautiful Cathedral. Pienza is the center of major artistic importance of the Val d’Orcia area. In 1996 the historic center was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Equally picturesque is The Gozzant district, the oldest part of the town, characterized by small houses located on the sandstone cliff and overlooking the velley of Orcia river. The area is also known for the production of excellent cheeses, first of all the “pecorino”.

RADICOFANI  (SI) –  hilly village

Castles:Radicofani Fortress
Churches:Church of San Pietro Apostolo
Natural riserves:Parco Artistico Naturale Culturale della Val d’Orcia
Events: Val d’Orcia Festival
Sports:trekking, mountain bike, riding

Radicofani is located at the foot of a cliff of volcanic basalt rock896 meters and it is characterized by the imposing fortress which for centuries dominated the border between Tuscany and Lazio. Inside the village there are numerous marble fountains: the Fonte Grande, the Medici Fountain, the Fountain of the Capuchinsand the Source Antese.

SAN QUIRICO D’ORCIA  (SI) – spa hilly medieval village

Churches:Collegiata dei Santi Quirico e Giulitta
Locality:Bagno Vignoni
Events:Festa del Barbarossa, Orcia Wine Festival
Products and crafts: olive oil, saffron,  Orcia DOC wine
Sports:trekking, ciclismo, riding

San Quirico is an example of the most significant medieval urban structure and preserves, in many buildings, many traces of the importance reached in some moments of its history. It has preserved good part of the walls along which are still as many as 14 towers, although some embedded in other structures. The territory is a spa of ancient orgini and which was frequented by famous people.

BAGNI DI SAN FILIPPO

Locality: Bagni di San Filippo – municipality of Castiglione d’Orcia (SI)
Water: Poggetto, 52 °C, sulfur sulfate bicarbonate
Therapeutic indications: Diseases of the skin, the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system
Treatments: therapeutic baths, whirlpools, hot-humid inhalations, thermal baths, cosmetics, massage, anti-stress programs

Spa: Bagni di San Filippo
Phone: +39 0577 872982

It is a small spa town that has developed thanks to the sulphurous waters with therapeutic properties have been known since ancient times. Near the village of Bagno di San Filippo is the so-called White Ditch, where the millennial passage of calcareous water left white concretions in the form of waterfalls and special environments such as the Bollore, a limestone hill. The notoriety of the area dates back to the 13th century when Philip Benizzi, Florentine physician, used the waters of the springs to operate cures considered miraculous that won him the title of saint. Nearby is located the Hotel Terme San Filippo with spa pool, is very suggestive of thewaterfalls in the park setting with the opalescent water and the vapors that arise. There are numerous holiday-care proposals, in particular, relate to wellness, beauty and fitness.

BAGNO VIGNONI

Locality: Bagno Vignoni – municipality of San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Water: Bagno, 51 C°, bicarbonate-alkaline
Therapeutic indications: diseases of musculoskeletal system
Treatments: therapeutic baths, massages, physical therapy, mud therapy, balneotherapy, inhalation and irrigation treatments

Spa: Terme di Santa Caterina
Tel: +39 0577 887365

At the center of the village of Bagno Vignoni is located the “Piazza delle Sorgenti”, a large rectangular pool, dating from the 15th century, fueled by a hot sulfur spring, slightly radioactive, used for medicinal purposes since Roman times, which It comes out at 51 ° C by an underground aquifer of volcanic origins. In past centuries, the tub, the water was conveyed in the spa and, later, went to feed a series of mills located along the river below. Around the pool they are distributed medieval and Renaissance buildings that now house shops and restaurants. Near, there is the Parco dei Mulini, an outdoor village where you can swim freely in the warm water and sulfur. In the town there is Terme spa of Santa Catarina that takes advantage of the spring waters in the treatment of various inflammatory and degenerative types such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and others.

Particularly attractive is the wine and food recall. First of all for its superb wines: just to name two Brunello di Montalcino and the new wine DOC Orcia. But also other agricultural and food products have gained a well-deserved reputation as the Pienza Pecorino cheese made from pure sheep milk from local farms. The special aroma of the cheese is due to the presence of a more unique than rare flora pratense: wormwood, salsify, birdsfoot, burnet and juniper. Significant is the reintroduction, in the Val d’Orcia, the cultivation of saffron plant. The territory has spread the breeding of the “Cinta Senese”, a variety of very old pig (15th century). The animals are raised in the wild by excluding strictly controlled tethering, both for the welfare of the beast for the characteristics of the meat. Selected from these pigs are derived mainly hams, shoulders, sausages and bacon; also other typical products of the Tuscan pork products, such finocchiona, brawn,  and cheeks.

Treno Natura is an initiative that allows you to make an entire day’s journey through the Val d’Orcia in a rather unusual way. The starting point is Siena and the route crosses, in sequence, the territory of the following municipalities: Siena, Asciano, San Giovanni d’Asso, San Quirico d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia, Abbadia San Salvatore, Piancastagnaio, Buonconvento. By the end of the 1950s, or by wagons towed by a steam locomotive, you can enjoy the landscape of the Val d’Orcia. It is also a unique opportunity to travel on historic rail trains using a line now closed to ordinary traffic. It is possible to take excursions on the trails between the various stations set up by CAI-Club Alpino Italiano, take horse carriages, visit the main monuments, dine in typical restaurants, participate in village festivals and recreational activities. The Nature Train is also suitable for those who want to combine travel with activities such as trekking, bicycle tours, museums and tastings. The initiative is always combined with an event or fairs and events in the various municipalities of the province of Siena. The resorts not served by the railway line can be reached by bus at coincidence at the stations.

Municipalities: Buonconvento, Castiglione d’Orcia, Pienza, Radicofani, San Giovanni d’Asso, San Quirico d’Orcia, Trequanda, Abbadia San Salvatore, Chianciano Terme, Montalcino, San Casciano dei Bagni, Sarteano e Torrita di Siena
Informations: Cantine associate della Strada del Vino Orcia
Address: Via Borgo maestro, 90 – Rocca a Tentennano – localityRocca d’Orcia  – Castiglione d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 887471  or +39 334 3066290
Website: www.stradavinorcia.com
Email: info@stradavinorcia.com / stradavinorcia@gmail.com

Orcia Wine Route was born in 2003 and has its seat at the foot of the Tentennano Fortress in Castiglione d’Orcia. The element that accompanies the territory on which the Orcia Wine Route is made is the landscape, one of the most characteristic and fascinating of Tuscany. In 2004, UNESCO has included the Val d’Orcia in the World Heritage Site of Humanity, the first rural area to be awarded with this recognition by defining it as “landscaping icon”. Sweaty hills, cypress trees, castles and abbeys, churches and convents, villages and towns, farms and roads form a kind of “layer of history” set on a geography that looks tailor-made. The Etruscans were importing the vine from the far east, and today the descendants are still generating the vine-growers’ art in generation.

The Wine Route Orcia, meeting the ever-growing and enthusiastic wine lovers who visit the Val d’Orcia in search of gastronomic excellence and who wish to taste and savor the Vine Orcia DOC with tranquility and expertise, has created a new collaboration Between the Enoteca del Corso (www.enotecadipiazza.com) of San Quirico d’Orcia and the wineries associated with the Orcia Wine Route. By submitting the complimentary coupon, courtesy of the Tourist Office or the accommodation facility at which you are staying, to the personnel of the Enoteca del Corso di San Quirico d’Orcia, or directly at the wineries associated with the Orcia Wine Route you will have Right to a free wine tasting of Orcia DOC wines.

By holding the coupon, those who have made a tasting will be recognized by submitting the same coupon to the ticket office, a 50% discount on the ticket to the museums that collaborate with the Wine Route Orcia: in Castiglione d’Orcia the Sala Art of San Giovanni, in Chianciano Terme the Etruscan Mueso, in San Giovanni d’Asso the Tartufo Museum, in Pienza the Diocesan Museum, in Monticchiello the Museum of the Popular Tuscan Traditional Theater(TePoTraTos).

Wine Tour and  Wine Tasting

Az. Agr. Poggio al Vento
Locality Poggio al Vento – Castiglione d’Orcia (SI)
Times: 10.00am – 7.00pm

Az. Agr. Bagnaia
info: +39 347 4562044

Fattoria del Colle
Times: 9.00am-01.00pm e 02.30-06.30pm

Agricola Forte
Locality Petrucci – castiglione d’Orcia (SI)
Wine tasting with reservation

Az.Agr. Capitoni Marco
Times: all days bu reservation
Phone: 39 338 8981597

Az. Agr. Atrium
Reservation: +39 0577 834220

Az. Campotondo
Locality Campiglia d’Orcia
Reservation: +39 349 4935285
info@cantinacampotondo.it

Az. Agr. Trequanda
Locality Podere Casino – Trequanda
Reservation: +39 3486 675367 or +39 0577 662001
Products: wines, extra virgin olive oil DOP “Terre di Siena”, Chianina meat
Services: products tasting and guided tour

Wineries of Orcia Wine Route

Municipality of San Quirico d’Orcia

Az. Agr. Bagnaia
Loc. Bagnaia, 47 – San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 898272.
www.agriturismobagnaia.it
info@agriturismobagnaia.it
Products: Orcia wine production, extra virgin olive oil production, honey
Services: Farmhouse

Az. Agr. Le Querciole
Locality Le querciole  Bagno Vignoni – San Quirico d’ Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 887209 / +39 339 6457671
aziendalequerciole@tiscali.it
www.agriturismolequerciole.net
Products: Wine Orcia Doc, Extra virgin olive oil, porks
Services: Agriturism B&B, guided tour, wine tasting

Azienda Agriturismo Sante Marie di Vignoni
Locality Sante Marie – Vignoni Alto – San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 897684
www.santemariedivignoni.it
studiogenerali@virgilio.it
info@santemariedivignoni.it
Products: Wine DOC Orcia, typical products, wine tasting, winery and vineyards visit

Azienda Agriturismo Riguardino
Via Dante Alighieri, 68 – San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 897562
colleriguardino@tiscali.it
Products: Orcia wine production, Extra virgin olive oil
Services: Agriturism

Azienda Belladonna di Leonardo Simonelli
Locality Villa Malintoppo – San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 899920
www.simonellisanti.it
malintroppo@hotmail.com
Products: Orcia wine production, Extravirgin olive oil production, honey
Services: agriturism

Azienda Agriturismo Sampieri del Fà do Giorgi Elena
Via del Chiusone, 5 – San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 897521 / +39 0577 897543
andrea.giorgi@unitn.it
Products: Orcia wine production, Extra virgin olive oil production
Servizces: agriturism

Osteria del Leone S.r.l.
Via Dei Mulini 3 – locality Bagno Vignoni – San Quirico d’Orcia (SI)
Phone: +39 0577/887300
www.osteriadelleone.it
osteria.delleone@gmail.com
Services: restaurant, wine bar

Municipality of Buonconvento

Via Soccini, 32 – Buonconvento (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 80971
www.comune.buonconvento.siena.it
info@comune.buonconvento.si.it

Azienda Agriturismo Castelnuovo Tancredi
Locality Castelnuovo Tancredi, 95 – Buonconvento (SI)
Phone: +39 0577 806090
www.castelnuovotancredi,it
info@castelnuovotancredi.it
Products: Orcia wine production, Extra virgin olive oil production
Services: Agriturism, Apartments, Farming

The Val d’Orcia and its impressive corners inspired famous movie directors and artists. Already in 1951, Curzio Malaparte turned into his only movie Forbidden Christ, drawn from his homonymous novel. Director Andrei Tarkovky visited the baths of Bagno Vignoni and turned unforgettable sequences of his masterpiece Nostalghia (1983). Director Franco Zeffirelli chose Bagno Vignoni and Pienza for the Romeo and Juliet movie. Bernardo Bertolucci also decided to set up several scenes of I dancing alone (1996) in a cascinale of the “Crete senesi”. It is in the Benedictine monastery of Sant’Anna in Caprena that the male protagonist of The English Patient, the film by Italian-American director Anthony Minghella, is awarded with nine Oscars. Still in Val d’Orcia, director Ridley Scott has shot many outdoors of The Gladiator.

Vittoria Adami Nepi
Phone: +39 335 5614389
Languages: French / English
v.adami@libero.it