• The Land - The Orcia Valley consists of a depression of hills, which the Orcia river runs across. The landscape of the Orcia Valley is an expression of the enchanting countryside. The shape of the land, characterized by small hills, immense farming land and pastoral areas is a delight to the eye and offers a great contrast from the desolate and rugged cretes to the softer and pleasant cultivated hills and slim, dark Tuscan cypresses, which are often planted in rows in the crest of the
    horizon. In order to protect such an environment, the five district's which “govern” (Montalcino, Pienza, S. Quirico d’ Orcia, Castiglione d’ Orcia and Radicofani) have decided to set up the “Orcia Valley Park”, which ensures the conservation of the beautiful, artistic and cultural land. The link that has been established between agriculture and the environment is very strong, resulting in a production of prestigious wine, cheese, oil, honey, meat and home-made products, characteristic of the area. The brands currently available for pecorino cheese, wine, oil, honey and saffron are DOC, DOP and IGP.
 Place to visit - During your stay we highly recommend paying a visit to thye following villages in the area, providing the visitor with an insight to traditions and history...:


Montepulciano
Bagno Vignoni
Bagni San Filippo
     

Castiglione d'Orcia Radicofani Pienza
     

Rocca d'Orcia
Montalcino
Monticchiello
     
The history - The historical events of this extreme part of the Siena district were numerous and complicated, as many castles bear witness on the sorrounding high ground. The history of the Orcia Valley can be observed within its villages: the most famous victorytook place during the Middle ages and The Renaissance. After which, came the influence of the barbaric invasion, the Senese rule was a great event in the Orcia Valley, which can be observed iun the major works carried out between 1200 and 1500:
particurarly in Montalcino, where settlement of the Senese Repubblic took place and in Pienza, the papal city, where Popo Piccolomini and his architect Rossellino produced some very famous restoration during the Renaissance, which constitutes the first rational example of urban restoration.