Hotels to remember: San Quirico d'Orcia
Travel ideas
San Quirico d'Orcia: introduction
San Quirico d'Orcia is situated atop a hill within the Valdorcia Nature Park, in an area of Tuscany which comprises the towns of Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. The origins of this ancient town date back to the Etruscan period. Around about the year 1000, San Quirico established itself as important town on the via Franchigena, the road linking Canterbury with Rome. It was in San Quirico d'Orcia that Fredrick I the 1st met with the pontifical authorities after his arrival in Italy to receive the imperial crown in 1154. In 1552 the troops faithful to Charles V chose San Quirico d'Orcia as military outpost from where to control the entire valley.
An imposing perimeter wall protects the town, accessed by a gateway, the only of the four original gateways to have survived the passage of time. The historic center of San Quirico perfectly conserves its medieval plan and a great number of impressive works of architecture such as the Romanesque Church of the Collegiata, with its three portals one of which attributed to Giovanni Pisano; the 17th century Palazzo Chigi; the Church of San Francesco which houses a Madonna by Andrea della Robbia; the Horti Leonini, splendid example of late 16th century landscape gardening; the intimate Romanesque Church of Santa Maria dell'Assunta and the Ospedale della Scala, once the refuge of pilgrims travelling along the via Franchigena.
San Quirico d'Orcia: suggestions from the hotels
Quality of living, tasting of small local produce, 2 of the most prestigious wine in the world, medieval hamlets, breath taking views. (Follonico 4-Suite) →
There's no place quite like this: a finely conserved 13th century hamlet transformed into a hotel. An authentic Tuscan treasure chest custom-made for lovers of sport, wine and wellness. (Toscana Laticastelli Country Relais) →
Castel del Piano - Emerging Rural Destination - Winner of 3 awards Eden Project for European Destinations of Excellence: between the slopes of the Amiata and the gentle valleys of the Val d'Orcia. Art, culture, welfare and good food. (Borgo Tepolini) →
More suggestions and useful addresses
San Quirico d'Orcia: places to see in the area
Tuscany: other destinations
- Piombino
- Massa Marittima
- Castiglione della Pescaia
- Orbetello and Argentario
- Siena
- Florence
- Chianti
- Versilia
- San Gimignano
- Maremma
- Forte Dei Marmi
- Crete Senesi
- Montalcino
- San Quirico d'Orcia
- Monteriggioni
- Bagno Vignoni
- Montepulciano
- Arezzo
- Grosseto
- Pisa
- Lucca
- Pistoia
- Val D'Orcia
- Viareggio
- Volterra
- Empoli
- Livorno
- Massa Carrara
- Prato
- Cortona
- Montecatini Terme
- Mugello
- Chianciano Terme
- Elba island
- Pienza
- Chiusi