Culture & History

History

The oldest part still visible today of the Castello di Velona [Velona Castle], a medieval fortress of the 11th century, is the 12th century watchtower which was the scene of clashes between the republics of Siena and Florence. The main loggia, however, is from the high Renaissance, the era when the castle was transformed into a residential villa. During the same era, the Castle was depicted in the maps painted on frescoes by Ignazio Danti in the Vatican. The rear, built in a later era, is in a neo-medieval style.

The road skirting the foot of the castle is shown on ancient maps and named via Clodia [Claudian Way], the old first century B.C.Roman road that joined southern Etruria to Rome. Stretches of the via Francigena are also visible nearby: it was a route travelled by writers, artists, famous bandits and pilgrims who, in the Middle Ages, journeyed to Rome for the Jubilee. Some important Etruscan artefacts, now preserved in Montalcino’s museum, were found in the area adjacent to the castle.

In 1997, the castle, by then abandoned in ruins, was acquired by private interests that commissioned its restoration and transformed it into a luxury hotel, while preserving its original structure and maintaining its character of noble country residence.

Val d'Orcia

In the heart of the Terra di Siena [Land of Siena] an enchanting and striking scenery reveals itself: hills, oak woods, olive groves, vineyards, towns and isolated monuments of extraordinary charm. Today the Orcia Valley is a protected natural, artistic and cultural park, and includes municipal territories such as Montalcino, Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia. To the west rises Mount Amiata, Italy’s tallest spent volcano and a large natural space occupied by fir, chestnut, and beech trees, woods, rare plants and animals of exceptional importance. Deer, roe deer and fallow deer can be seen wandering free in Mount Amiata’s Fauna Park Mount Amiata’s volcanic nature can be seen in Bagno Vignoni’s hot springs at San Quirico d’Orcia’s, which were used since Roman times. The water rises from a depth of 1000 metres and emerges at a temperature of 52°C, collecting in a 49 m basin that marks the town’s centre.

The Abbazia di Sant'Antimo [The Abbey of Sant’Antimo]

According to the legend, Charlemagne, on his way back from Rome around the year 800, camped with his men who were struck by the plague, near the river Starcia. An angel appeared to the emperor in a dream and advised him to collect and dry a specific herb and to make from it an infusion in wine (Brunello wine already back then?) and to administer it to the soldiers. The emperor did this and the soldiers were cured. Charlemagne, whose name remained linked to that of the herb calledCarolina, had the Sant’Antimo Abbey built to thank for the miracle and donated the bones of the holy martyrs Antimo and Sebastian.

Montalcino

Montalcino has been known since the 15th century for its prized red wines: the young Rosso di Montalcino DOC [controlled denomination of origin], the renowned Moscatello DOC and the Sant’Antimo DOC. But the place of honour in wine production over the past twenty years belongs to the famous Brunello, which requires aging for five years (six for Brunello Riserva), at least two of which in oak barrels, before it is sold. The production of extra virgin olive oil and, in particular, honey is also highly prized. Beekeeping is one of the area’s economic activities: Montalcino’s “Honey Week” has become an important occasion for meetings and exchanges for the national and international sector. Pienza, declared by Pope Pius II’s as an “ideal city”, and today a UNESCO world heritage site, is characterised by a specifically designed structure. During the Renaissance attempts were made to create an “ideal” life and government model, by developing a city capable of providing concrete answers to the aspiration of a civilised, peaceful and industrious community. Pienza is known internationally for its Pecorino cheese, with its unmistakable taste resulting from the unique blend of aromatic grasses in the pastures.

San Quirico d’Orcia

Ancient town between the Amiata and the Val di Chiana. Its central position on the Via Cassia [Cassian Way] marked the point of convergence of history’s remarkable men and actions to San Quirico d’Orcia. Churches and palazzos of considerable historic interest are found in this town of Etruscan origins surrounded by well-preserved walls. Palazzo Chigi Zondadari, a structure from the 17th century, designed by Carlo Fontana, is famous for its frescoes. Also to be visited are the city walls with the Porta dei Cappucini [Capuchins’ gate] and the Collegiata [Collegiate Church] of the Saints Quirico and Giulitta, with its magnificent Romanesque-Gothic portals.

Montepulciano

Of Etruscan origins, free commune since the 12th century and long coveted by Siena and Florence, it is also called the “Pearl of the 16th century” because of the many works left here by famous Renaissance artists such as Vignola, Sangallo and Peruzzi. The museum, reopened a few years ago, holds a valuable collection of works by Sienese painters. The “Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte” [“International Arts Workshop”] is held during the summer and is of great interest to the entire international world of culture, attracting hundreds of artists from various nationalities to Montepulciano each year. Other important events take place in August, such as "Il Bravio delle Botti" [“The barrel race"], a barrel race through the town's streets. Finally, Montepulciano’s wines are highly prized; the Rosso DOC, but especially the Nobile di Montepulciano, the first Italian wine awarded the DOCG [Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin] certification.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano rises, with its towered skyline, on a hill overlooking the Val d’Elsa. Vineyards, olive groves and woods characterise San Gimignano’s landscape. It is one of Italy’s most striking towns. The first Italian wine to earn the DOC certification was produced here. The origin of the name of the vine species and of the wine VERNACCIA di SAN GIMIGNANO is ancient: Dante Alighieri himself, while wondering among the gluttons of his Purgatory, happens upon Foreste Donati. He indicates to Dante an old man (Pope Martino IV) who is paying the price for having stuffed himself with eels and Vernaccia, as he walked among the gluttons in Purgatory, (Purg. XIV,19-24).

Activities