Val d'Orcia is a land fresh and unspoilt where the character of its agricultural economy and the persistence of the inhabitants to work the earth and the natural materials found in the area, have safeguarded the relationship between man and the environment.

The landscape of the Val d'Orcia preserve intact the history medieval. To north, the inclusive band between Castelnuovo Berardenga to Rapolano, there are stately hills covered from oak, while in the zone south, up to the Siena clays, the landscape mellows. Going on in succession to west from thermal baths of Petriolo up to the Maremma, the territory is full of pines and olive trees. To southeast there is the Cetona Mount. Rapolano, situated on the Western side of the back between the Val of Chiana and Valley of the Ombrone, it is a frequented thermal station. In this zone an other country of importance is Chiusi situated to the southern extremity of the Val of Chiana. It's an agricultural and commercial center, with many industrial activity.

The more important monuments are Cathedral, the Episcopalian Palace and the Museum National Etrusco with precious Etruscan objects and Greek ceramics, and the Etruscan graves that is in the environs. The tall Cetona Mount 1148 m rises between the tall Val of Orcia and the Val of Chiani. Lets Chiusi find Chianciano thermal baths in elevated position on the Val of southern Chiana, one of the thermal more known centers in Italy. The town understands a big and modern thermal zone with shed plant constituted from hotels and establishments, villas, and an ancient nucleus with narrow streets and medieval monuments. Main point is the Establishment of the Water Saint. Enchanting it is the Rome avenue, planted with trees and in which there are hotels and shops of luxury. He leads to Italy square, center of the thermal city. In the Old Chianciano, of Etruscan origin, but partly surrounded from medieval boundaries, there is the Church of the Mercy, the town hall and the palace of the Podestr, to whose inside entertain the Museum of Sacred Art. Montepulciano, country of the poet Anthony Poliziano, is on a high ground between the Val of Chiana and the Val of Orcia, it is a notable center of art, with Renaissance monuments of Florentine imprint. Entering on the city from north it is the Church of S. Agnese, construction of the 1300 but that has suffered numerous rehashes. To the right there is the Avignonesi Palace, with Renaissance forms attributed to Vignola; in the Manini square there is a stairway, where dominated the Church of S. Agostino, built from Michelozzo, with a very handsome façade. In front of the church has set the tower of Pulcinella, on which a iron puppet beats the hours. In road Poliziano, on the left there is the house of the Poliziano, construction of the 1400, but unfortunately also this repeatedly tampered with. In the Big Square, there is the Cathedral, erect in the 1592 for work of Ippolito Scalza and restored in the 1888, on the left the Town Palace, building to three pianos with a beautiful tower, and other noble monuments.

Pienza, situated in top to a hill that overhangs the Tresa stream. His name has given from PIO II, that entrusted the construction to Bernardo Rossellino, for represent a "ideal city." Point of reference of Pienza is the harmonious Pious II square, surrounded from important buildings and with a particular well. The Cathedral, built on the ancient church of S. Maria, of Gothic inspiration. The church in the back part has had a strong yelding in past and, despite the restaurations in the course of the years are necessary still today. to left of the Cathedral, there is the House of the Canonical, where it is the Museum of the Cathedral, to whose inside there are some artworks removed from the Cathedral and from other churches. In front of the Cathedral there is the Town Palace restored in the 1900. Closes the square to the right the Piccolomini Palace, work of the Rossellino inspired to the Rucellai palace from Florence.

This valley in tuscany is not only a place full of poetry and naturally happy people. It is a valley which contributed to handing down history and human relationship which has determined the quality of an area which was traversed by the roads of ancient Rome - The Francigena.

All the events which developed along this highway and the adjacent hills, created a landscape which fascinated the great Sienese painters of the Renaissance, the European travellers of the "grand tour", the romantic writers of England, Germany and France, and which still charm us to this day. The scenery of the

Val d'Orcia, which begins with a symmetry of natural harmony with its soft rolling hills, changes into the majestic grandeur of the Amiata, a mountain abounding with springs of crystal clear water and luxuriant vegetation. The colours of dry clay and golden earth, share the hills; dark green moss and undergrowth cover the base of rocky crags and old farm houses; the gentle colours found in the orderly lines of vineyards mix with the silver grey of the olive groves. The solitude, the empty spaces, the light, the views, conjure up a sense of pleasure, delight and even loneliness difficult to define. The Val d'Orcia is a landscape of never-ending hills, interspersed with torrents, ravines, rugged outcrops, river banks which intertwine until they are lost in the ash colour of the distant Crete.

The Francigena, winding among this natural but hostile beauty throughout the centuries, has contributed towards the growth of the small centres and the pride of an ancient people, accustomed to sharing the dreams, arrogance and the Utopia pf powerful and famous men. The farming community of the Val d'Orcia has never surrendered to progress, it has always welcomed travellers and pilgrims and always made them welcome.

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