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The Crete Senesi and the parks of Val d’Orcia
Ridges and cliffs, thermal waters, abbeys and ancient beech-woods
Moving through these lands the tourist will be surprised by the linearity and the purity of the landscape, that induces a feeling of unaffected beauty. Just a few miles from Siena, going south along the Cassia, the Crete Senesi (clay hills) create a surreal, moonscape effect, with their rolling in serial waves all the way to the horizon in the direction of Monte Amiata. Most of our tours in this area alternate between villages, abbeys and country churches and long excursions through the ridges of the Artistic, natural and cultural Park of Val d'Orcia, in an area dominated by clay banks and statuesque tuff rocks shaped by the constant flowing of rain water.
Between hills and cypresses you can hike to medieval fortified villages and to the magnificent Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, an imposing monastic compound featuring the famous cycle of frescoes 'Le storie di Benedetto' by Luca Signorelli and Antonio Bazzi, called The Sodoma, an ingenious artist from Piedmont who lived at the turn of the 16th century.
Not too far from here, the town of Montalcino stands out upon the valley and the surrounding landscape. At this point it is hard to resist the temptation of tasting one of the most renowned wines in the world, the[/b] Brunello of Montalcino. The [b]Abbey of St. Antimo, in Montalcino's vicinity, well deserves a visit for its pure Romanesque style.
San Quirico d'Orcia, of Etruscan origins, still preserves the Collegiata, a splendid expression of Romanesque religious art (XII century). The town wall also presents some interest along with the Orti Leonini, a beautiful and well preserved example of a typical Italian garden.
Bagno Vignoni is timeless for its magic 'piazza', the rarefied atmosphere and the hot vapours. The town square displays a large pool of hot water, where swimming is banned by the local Sovrintendenza ai Beni Culturali ed Artistici. Nevertheless, the guests of the hotel compound can enjoy the experience of an outdoor pool overlooking the valley, from where one can admire the Rocca d'Orcia and the Castello di Ripa d'Orcia, while submerged in a mostly calcareous water that can reach a temperature of 115° F (45° C).
From the Cassia-road one can move up the valley along the river Orcia, toward Pienza, a rare example of Renaissance urban planning, the city having been conceived as a small and unique Ideal City. Pienza grew according to the architectural and urbanistic theories of Bernardo Rossellino, a follower of the Pope Pius II's idealistic philosophy. His dream was to create a city mirroring a precise way of life under an ideal government on earth. The Cathedral and the famous Palazzo Piccolomini overlooking the valley offer a spectacular view of the Crete all the way to the luxuriant slopes of Monte Amiata.
Less than a mile from Pienza lays the Pieve di Corsignano, a sophisticated example of a Romanesque church erected between the 7th and the 10th century. Not far from Pienza, the monastery of Sant'Anna in Camprena is well worth a visit for its cycle of frescoes dating 1503-1504 and attributed to the Sodoma.
Other places of interest: Ripa d'Orcia features a gracious castle overlooking the gorges; Villa La Foce; the lunar panorama of Lucciola Bella; the austere town of Monticchiello, with its massive ramparts, the caisson tower, St. Leonardo's church and the interesting tradition of Teatro Povero; Montepulciano; Chianciano, famous for the thermal compound; Asciano; San Giovanni d'Asso and the fragrant food tradition related to truffles; as well as the mining area of Murlo.
Food and wine: The white truffle, with its delicate yet pungent taste; the traditional Pici, spaghetti made with flour and water; the Brunello of Montalcino; the Orcia Doc; the Nobile of Montepulciano; the Chianti Colli Senesi; the extra virgin olive oil, the local pecorino, the meat of the typical Sienese pork.
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