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
Villa Armena is located in Buonconvento, in the heart of the Crete Senesi. Center of great charm, Buonconvento is a member of "The most beautiful villages in Italy". (Relais Villa Armena) →
"Farm Armena " an ancient farm in 1500, is located in Buonconvento ancient village in the heart of the Crete Senesi, breathtaking scenery, vibrant colors and characterized by cypress trees along the avenue of entrance (Fattoria Armena) →
Montepulciano is the pearl of the '500, walking through its streets you can see splendor lived during the Renaissance. The most evocative monument is the church of San Biagio and Montorio is located in front with a unique view. (Montorio) →
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