Pienza from UNESCO site "The Committee decided to inscribe the nominated property on the basis of cultural criteria considering that the site is of outstanding universal value as it represents the first application of the Renaissance Humanist concept of urban design, and as such occupies a seminal position in the development of the concept of the planned "ideal town" which was to play a significant role in subsequent urban development in Italy and beyond. The application of this principle in Pienza, and in particular in the group of buildings around the central square, resulted in a masterpiece of human creative genius." more infos from "

San Galgano

The original nucleus of the monastic complex Cistercian of Saint Galgano (Galgano Guidotti 1148-1181) is constituted by the hermitage of Montesiepi, built in Roman style as mausoleum of the Saint between the 1182 and the 1185. Its greater particularity is the so-called 'the Rotunda of Saint Galgano' with a unique, for the constructions of that time, plan. It encloses, beyond to the tomb of the saint, the famous rock with the sword. Although at a first look it can seem an emulation of ancient Etruscan tombs of Populonia, Vetulonia and Volterra, the architect responsible of its construction inspired itself to Castel S.Angelo and the Pantheon of Rome.

The name of this ancient village derives from Vignoni, already famous castle in XI century, whose traces dominate the hill over the village.The thermal water where used by the Romans ,archaeological artfacts are found in the Chigi collection of Siena, National Archaeological Museum. A porch-type bridge passes over the waters flowing from the bath towards the termal establishments and subsequently going on to feed a series of mils situated along the steep edge sloping down towards the river an area that may now be visited thanks. Lo extensive resounding carried out by the St. Quirico Council (Watermill Park).

It is an historical village, probably of etruscan origins, situated at about 40 km south from Siena, on the hills that divide the two river valleys of Asso and Orcia.

Becouse of its position, in the middle of the main Francigen Route, it has been for long time a point of passage for wayfarers, pilgrims and merchants on the way to Rome. One of them was Frederick II of Swabia who met here the Pope Adrian IV ambassadors. This historical moment is celebrated every year the third Sunday of June with "Il Barbarossa" day. People wearing historical costumes show in a flag-waving and bow-shooting race.

The Orcia's Valley

The Orcia River courses through the Val D' Orcia valley from west to east . The landscape of the Val d' Orcia is of a charming nature, characterized by small hills with biancane and calanchi to the flanks and wide agricultural lands and zones of pasture to the center offering a fabulous contrast between the hard landscape of the crete generate and that of the more harmonious cultivates and of the filari of cypresses on the gentile rolling hills. The lunar aspect that inspired and amazed famous writers, mystics and poets of the past, that happen to travel through this valley on their journeys from Siena to Rome, like Dickens or Howtorne or De Sade.