Val d'Orcia is a broad valley in southern Tuscany that stretches between Siena and Monte Amiata in the province of Grosseto and borders Umbria to the east. The valley owes its name to the eponymous river, the Orcia, which gracefully winds its way through a hilly landscape characterised by vines and cypresses. Medieval villages such as Pienza and Montalcino radiate the typical charm of Tuscany, and in culinary terms, too, the valley has plenty to offer. Along with the exclusive Brunello di Montalcino and wines with the new Orcia DOC designation of origin, visitors can enjoy the traditional Pici pasta with sausage and porcini or taste the famous Pecorino di Pienza cheese.
Municipalities
The Val d'Orcia comprises a total of 5 municipalities in the province of Siena, which together form a conservation area that is rich in art and culture. These are: Castiglione d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico d'Orcia. Furthermore, these five municipalities include important parishes such as Contignano, Monticchiello, Bagno Vignoni, Rocca d'Orcia, Campiglia d'Orcia, Bagni San Filippo and Vivo d'Orcia. The valley also encompasses a few towns belonging to the province of Grosseto, such as Montenero d'Orcia and Montegiovi in the district of Castel del Piano. The rolling hills are also home to numerous agriturismi (farms offering accommodation), dreamy country houses and medieval castles with impressive towers.
World Cultural Heritage
Large parts of the Val d'Orcia form a conservation area which was designated a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site on 2nd July 2004. The intact landscape, whose beauty inspired countless Renaissance artists, proved to be the decisive criterion justifying the region's inclusion on the World Heritage list:
Criterion (iv): "The Val d'Orcia is an exceptional example from the Renaissance period that reflects the ideals of an aesthetic landscape to the very highest degree."
Criterion (vi): "The landscape of the Val d'Orcia was celebrated by painters from the Siena School which flourished during the Renaissance. The landscape paintings that depict the people living in harmony with nature are symbolic of the spiritual ideals of the Renaissance and have had a deep and lasting influence on the development of the landscape in the area."
