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Val d'Orcia

The picturesque agricultural valley of Val d'Orcia is a Unesco World Heritage site, as is the historic centre of the town of Pienza on its northeastern edge. The valley's distinctive landscape features flat chalk plains, out of which rise almost conical hills topped with fortified settlements and magnificent abbeys that were once important staging points on the Via Francigena.

For information about places, activities and events in the Val d'Orcia see www.parcodellavaldorcia.com.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Val d'Orcia.

Abbey
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
The serenely beautiful Romanesque Abbazia di Sant’Antimo lies in a valley just below the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, 11km from Montalcino. The Romanesque exterior of its church features stone carvings of various fantastical animals. Inside, look for the polychrome 13th-century Madonna and Child and 12th-century Crucifixion above the main altar. The church, crypt, upper loggia, chapel, pharmacy and garden can be visited with a rented videoguide (€6), and there is also a dedicated videoguide to the church (€3).
Cathedral
Duomo
Pienza's duomo was built on the site of the Romanesque Chiesa di Santa Maria, of which little remains. The Renaissance church with its handsome travertine facade was commissioned by Pius II, who was so proud of the building that he issued a papal bull in 1462 forbidding any changes to it. The interior is a strange mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles and contains a superb marble tabernacle by Rossellino housing a relic of St Andrew the Apostle, Pienza's patron saint.
Gardens
La Foce
Built in four stages between 1924 and 1939, these formal gardens were commissioned by Anglo-American expat Iris Origo and her Italian husband Antonio. Designed by English architect Cecil Pinsent (1884–1963), who created many splendid gardens around Florence in the early decades of the 20th century, they surround a 16th-century former pilgrims' inn that was converted into a residence by the Origos after they purchased the La Foce estate in 1924. Visits are by 45-minute guided tour in English or Italian.
Museum
Museo Diocesano
Set in the Palazzo Borgia, this museum displays an intriguing miscellany of artworks, illuminated manuscripts, tapestries and miniatures. Highlights include Pietro Lorenzetti's Madonna col Bambino (1310–20), Bartolo di Fredi's Madonna della Misericordia (c 1364) and the English-produced, Gothic-style Cope di Pius II, a richly embroidered early-14th-century cloak depicting the stories of the Virgin Mary, Margaret of Antioch and Catherine of Alexandria. Enter via Corso il Rossellino.
Christian Site
Abbazia di San Galgano
This now-ruined 13th-century Cistercian abbey was one of the finest Gothic buildings of its day. On a hill above is the tiny, round Romanesque Cappella di Monte Siepi, dedicated to Galgano Guidotti, a saint who lived his last years here as a hermit. In the middle of the chapel is a sword embedded in a rock – legend tells us that San Galgano, a soldier, drove his weapon into the stone to symbolise his renunciation of worldly life.
Piazza
Piazza Pio II
Stand in this magnificent square and spin 360 degrees. You've just taken in an overview of Pienza's major monuments. Gems of the Renaissance constructed in a mere three years between 1459 and 1462, they're arranged according to the urban design of Bernardo Rossellino, who applied the principles of Renaissance town planning devised by his mentor, Leon Battista Alberti.
Palace
Palazzo Borgia
The future Pope Alexander VI, then just Cardinal Roderigo Borgia, was gifted this palace by Pius II and subsequently modified and enlarged it in 1492. It's home to the Museo Diocesano and the tourist office. Enter via the courtyard onto Corso il Rossellino.
Palace
Palazzo Piccolomini
This magnificent palace was the residence of Pope Pius II, and is considered Bernardo Rossellino's masterpiece. Built on the site of the pope's family houses, it features a fine courtyard, a handsome staircase and the former papal apartments, which are filled with period furnishings and minor art. To the rear, a three-level loggia offers a spectacular panorama over the Val d'Orcia far below. Visitors follow a multilanguage audio tour; peeking into the courtyard is free.
Church
Pieve di Corsignano
Look out for this Romanesque church at the western edge of Pienza. It dates from the 10th century, when Pienza was called Corsignano, and boasts a strange circular bell tower with eight arched windows. Close inspection reveals the carving of a two-headed siren over the main doorway and scenes of the Three Kings and Nativity over the side door on to the right. Inside the church is the baptismal font where Pope Pius II was christened.