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VAL D'ORCIA: Dotted with cypress trees and the dramatic slopes of the volcanic mountains Amiata and Radicofani, the natural park of the Orcia Valley is one of Tuscany’s best-preserved natural wonders just added in the UNESCO's WORLD HERITAGE LIST and is universally recognized as one of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.

2 July 2004 Justification for Inscription VALDORCIA

Criterion (iv): This stunning landscape was celebrated by Renaissance painters from nearby Siena. The Val D’Orcia was, and still is, seen as an ideal representation of man coexisting in harmony with nature. Images of the Val D’Orcia and its inhabitants have come to be seen as icons of the Renaissance and have profoundly influenced the development of landscape art, engineering and philosophy in modern Tuscany.

Criterion (vi): The Val D’Orcia flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries when it was colonized by the city-state of Siena. The landscape’s distinctive aesthetics, flat chalk plains out of which rise almost conical hills with fortified settlements on top, inspired many artists. Their images have come to exemplify the beauty of well-managed Renaissance agricultural landscapes. The inscription covers a planned colonized agrarian and pastoral landscape reflecting innovative land management systems; several towns and villages, each unique; farmhouses; and the original Roman road the Via Francigena and its associated abbeys, inns, shrines and bridges.

The hills of Val d'Orcia are rich with the crete Senese, deposits of sand and clay with 5 million years of archaeological history, evidence that the sea once reached this valley. Encompassing medieval hill towns, relaxing hot springs and silver olive groves, the variety of the Val D’Orcia makes it an ideal stomping ground for a Tuscan holiday. You can sample the world-famous wine Brunello di Montalcino wine along the cobblestone streets of its namesake village, relax in the therapeutic sulfurous baths in Bagno Vignoni and peruse the original Renaissance frescoes of a local monastery all in the span of a weekend. The valley’s natural beauty is an idyllic backdrop for a country vacation during all 4 seasons, from the striking colors of autumn to the spectacle of flora and fauna in the spring. While visiting the Val D’Orcia you’ll want to take advantage of the scenery by hiking, cycling or even enjoying a hot air balloon ride at sunset. Staying in the Orcia Valley assures contact with Tuscany’s natural treasures, and above all a serenity that city life prohibits.

Val d'Orcia Filmography

The Val d'Orcia is natural setting of extraordinary beauty. It has become known all over the world as the classic Tuscan landscape. Important films like the Oscar winners The English Patient, La Vita è Bella and Gladiator were shot here, as well as Romeo and Juliet directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and most recently Under the Tuscan Sun, cementing the Val D’Orcia’s beauty in cinematic history. Ultimately, Shadow Dancer by the American writer/director Brad Mirman was filmed over the course of six weeks in the splendid farmland among Radicofani, Castiglion d'Orcia, San Quirico and Abbadia San Salvatore.

Val d'Orcia accommodation: Villas & Farmhouses

Your Tuscany offers you a fantastic selection of villas and farmhouses in the heart of Val D'Orcia:

We invite you to visit useful sites in Val d'Orcia:

Parco Naturale della val d'Orcia- The official site of the val d'Orcia natural park

The Unesco's inscription heritage list The Unesco's heritage inscription of Val d'Orcia

Osteria La Porta - One of our favourite restaurant in Monticchiello.

Farmhouse Le Macchie in Pienza - Charming farmhouse in Pienza. 

Teatro Povero - Official site of the " Teatro Povero" a traditional theatre in Monticchiello  

La Foce - The famous gardens of Origo's family 

Pienza guide 

Official guide of Pienza

Brunello di Montalcino - The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino: a voluntary association of producers.

Brunello Banfi - One of the most famous winery in Montalcino - Banfi wines.

Balooning in Tuscany - A unique experience of a real Tuscany.

Bagni San Filippo thermes - In our thermal center you will forget stress.

Strada del Vino Nobile - The "Strada del Vino Nobile" will you let discover places and tastes of the Vino Nobile land.

Osteria del Leone - Typical restaurant in Tuscany: top quality food .Located in Bagno Vignoni.

Sant' Antimo - Official site of S. Antimo abbey. Abbey close to Montalcino

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