Pienza (called also Corsignano) is probably the most famous city and artistic importance of Val d'Orcia. Its historic center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The city was transformed from a small village to a site of historical-artistic interest in 1405 with the birth of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who 53 years later became Pope Pius II. Much of the historical and artistic heritage of Pienza is concentrated in the charming and famous square dedicated to Pope Pius II, who tried to make it his "ideal city", pearl of the Italian Renaissance, helped by Bernardo Rossellino. Isolated and clearly visible is the majestic cathedral; in front, the Town Hall and next to Palazzo Borgia and Palazzo Piccolomini are places that you must visit.
Bagno Vignoni is located inside the natural park of Val d'Orcia and thanks to its proximity to the Via Francigena (the trail by pilgrims traveling to Rome), its water was used since Roman times for thermal purposes. The "Piazza delle Sorgenti", the ancient village, has at its center a sixteenth century bath, with a hot and steaming thermal water spring that flows from the underground aquifer of volcanic origins. You can easily reach Bagno Vignoni in a short time, either by bike or by car, the nearby towns of Pienza and Montalcino, and in general the entire Val d'Orcia and Monte Amiata.
Montalcino is famous all around the the world for the production of Brunello wine. The medieval town is at the northern edge of Val d'Orcia, not far from the slope of Monte Amiata, from which you can admire a beautiful landscape. The town of Montalcino was probably already inhabited in Etruscan times. Thanks to its favorable location on the Via Francigena, during the late Middle Ages was still an independent town of considerable importance. With the passage of time Montalcino fell under the powerful Siena. After the fall of Siena in 1555, the Sienese nobles were castled in the city for four years, giving life to the Republic of Siena in Montalcino repaired. The surrounding area is renowned for the presence of the Sangiovese grape vineyards from which we get the famous Brunello di Montalcino, and which are used also for the production of two DOC wines: Rosso di Montalcino and Sant'Antimo. The Fortress and Piazza del Popolo, the main square of Montalcino, are places to visit. The town hall, also known as Palazzo dei Priori, is adorned with crests of several mayors who governed the city over the centuries. A medieval tower is near the palace. Among the local traditions there is the Thrush Festival, held on the last Sunday of October and the Tournament Opening hunts, every August.
The Sant'Antimo Abbey is a famous monastery, located near Castelnuovo dell'Abate, not far from the town of Montalcino. It is one of the most important building of the Tuscan Romanesque. The story say that Charlemagne had ordered its construction during its passage. A place of prayer and rest for body and soul. Just from this abbey still living through a stretch of the famous Via Francigena, the main artery for the pilgrims who once went to the Holy Land.
The Monte Amiata is a precious corner of Tuscany, in the areas of Siena and Grosseto, which dominates from its 1738 meters, the surrounding valleys (Val di Paglia and Orcia Valley), not forgetting the delicious Sienese hills and superb flat of Maremma. Its silhouette can be seen from the city of Siena, turning to the south and goes with its presence, increasingly looming on, the journey in these enchanted places. You can admire the mountain bushy beech forests filtered by an immaterial web of sunlight, and you must think it was the man's hand to draw the paths open in the vegetation. Who will approach the summit, passing by a nice village at the foot of the same, Abbadia San Salvatore, will have in front his eyes a singular set of buildings that refer to a story full of sacrifices and courage. Close to centers of great artistic and cultural prestige, is revealed as the casket of a charging treasure inexhaustible resources; a chest that has its roots in the heart of the earth and of the primordial magma.
Abbadia San Salvatore is located in the Siena side of Monte Amiata. Its history and its fortunes are linked to those of the Abbey of SS. Salvatore, complex first Benedictine then Cistercian, which in feudal times has had a major power in large territories placed on the east side and on the western Amiata. The Abbey, founded in the year 762 by the Lombard Duke Ratchis, had mixed success, partly due to clashes with both the powerful family of Aldobrandeschi of Santa Fiora, both with the Orsini and generally allied with the emperors, and was finally abolished in 1782. in the early twentieth century in Abbadia San Salvatore quickly became a rich mining and industrial center. During Fascism the city continued to grow and develop, they built trials with the peak of Monte Amiata, the sports facilities and the stadium. The ancient tradition of the Fiaccole is very important, celebrated between Eve and Christmas night. To visit, in addition to the Museum of the Abbey, it is the Mining Museum, inside the now abandoned mine of cinnabar, with tunnels that stretch for 35 km, up to 400 meters deep. For lovers of food, we remember the typical local cake called Ricciolina.
The city of Piancastagnaio and its territory were part of the land that was provided, since the eighth century, the Abbey of San Salvatore, which gave its name to the nearby Abbadia San Salvatore. Piancastagnaio, such as other areas belonging to the Abbey, was first held by the Aldobrandeschi of Sovana and then finish in the first half of the fifteenth century, it became part of the Republic of Siena (1440). The Palio of Piancastagnaio, the culminating event of the life of the four districts in which is divided the town, takes place on August 18 of each year. On November 1 there is Crastatone, the oldest event on Castagna del Monte Amiata.
Bagni San Filippo is a bath town on the slope of Monte Amiata, in the Natural Artistic and Cultural Park of Val d'Orcia, small but attractive, the ideal destination for an intimate and relaxing holiday. The white concretions of calcium carbonate and small waterfalls are formed by calcareous deposits. The bath, with swimming pool and spa, offers healing and natural beauty through the use of the sulphurous waters of its sediments and sludge. For nature lovers, the White Ditch, a stream in the woods, is the ideal place to relax and take a swim throughout the year in "pools" (tanks). The area is accessible by a picturesque walking path, surrounded by the bush.
The ancient origins of Montepulciano can be traced back to the time of the Etruscans, from the fourth century BC, when it was founded by Porsenna, Lucumone (Re) of Chiusi. The center of the city, in the form of "S", is enclosed within three circles of walls, built to protect the medieval village to the fourteenth century. The Republic of Siena, trying to control the free and rich Montepulciano, in the eleventh century, began a series of wars that followed for many decades. The Cathedral, built between 1586 and 1680 by Ippolito Scalza, stands on the ruins of the ancient church of Santa Maria, and contains a large number of art works: one of the most important is the monumental triptych of Assumption by Taddeo di Bartolo (1401). The church of San Biagio (or temple of San Biagio) with centralized Greek cross plan, edificated by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder: example of Tuscan Renaissance architecture of the sixteenth century, the church is in an isolated position just a few steps from the historic center. One of the most characteristic manifestation of Montepulciano is The Bravìo delle Botti, on the last Sunday of August, a race that is held every year between the eight Contrade of the city (Cagnano, Collazzi, Gracciano, Le Coste, Poggiolo, San Donato, Talosa, Voltaia), in honor of St. John the Beheaded, the patron saint of Montepulciano. Also in August, every year since 1939, the Bruscello Poliziano takes place on the esplanade of the Cathedral, a form of popular theater and farmer, typically Tuscan, recited and sung. Visiting the city, no one cannot stop at the city museum in the Palazzo Neri Orselli. The name and fame of Montepulciano in the world are related to winemaking from to Etruscan times, although the first written document is of 789. The production of excellent wines was constantly in the Middle Ages. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG since 1980, is protected by a consortium that brings together all the wineries. Rosso di Montepulciano has the same blend of Vino Nobile but also admits other grapes of the area. Vin Santo di Montepulciano is an excellent dessert wine.