Castiglione
d’Orcia is a charming village with a ruined fortress,
the Rocca Aldobrandesca located above the town. The
center of town is Piazza Il Vecchietta, a sweet cobblestoned
piazza with a pretty fountain in the center (17th
century) and the Palazzo Comunale. The square is named
after Vecchietta (an artist). Two churches to visit here are
the Chiesa di S. Maddelena Maria (12th century)
where you’ll find a painting of the Madonna and Child by
Vecchietta and the Chiesa dei Santi Stefano e Degna (15th
century) which houses some fine art by Lorenzetti and Martini.
San
Quirico d’Orcia is a fortified medieval town with Etruscan
origins. It’s got a super location between the Val d’Orcia
and Val d’Asso. The main draw here is the 12th
century Collegiata, Romanesque in style and with 3 interesting
portals with stone carvings. The Horti Leononi gardens
with their miles of hedges (a tribute to the Renaissance for
sure) should be visited while in San Quirico. Do take a look
at the Palazzo Chigi (17th century) with its
Baroque façade. Bagno Vignoni is just a few km
from San Quirico and is a spa town of ancient origin. The main
piazza is one bubbling pool and not your typical main piazza
— a great diversion.
Montalcino
is an ancient town sitting on the top of a hill. It commands
wonderful views over the valleys (and the vineyards that produce
Brunello wine). The town’s 14th century fortress/Rocca
is pentagonal in shape and has towers, parapets and ramparts
(not to mention an enoteca for buying wine!) to explore. The
fortress alone is testimony to the fact that this town was truly
a fortified village. The 13th century Palazzo
Comunale (town hall) is worth a look and you’ll surely
come upon it as you wander the charming little streets to the
main square Piazza del Populo and on up to the Fortezza/Rocca.
The Palazzo Vescovile houses three museums: Museo
Civico, Museo Archeologico and Museo Diocesano. The
duomo is a good example of Roman-Gothic architecture.
Market day is Friday in Montalcino.