Castiglione d'Orcia

Castiglione d’Orcia is a municipality in the Val d'Orcia region of Siena in Tuscany, Italy.

Cities

 * Bagni San Filippo

Understand
The rural area which the territory of Castiglione d'Orcia forms a part of is known as the Val d'Orcia: a sparsely populated area with an almost unaltered agricultural landscape compared to previous centuries. The beauty of this agricultural landscape in Tuscany is the reason for its status, obtained in 2004, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic centre of the village, of medieval origin, is 540 m above sea level and allows a marvellous view for kilometres.

In particular, you can look out over an imposing medieval defence tower rising out of the landscape at the Rocca di Tentennano, in the area of the "Rocca d'Orcia", just a stone's throw from the centre of Castiglione d'Orcia.

The village's economy is based on two main activities: agriculture and tourism, and especially an activity which represents a combination of the two: Agriturismo ('agro-tourism,' where farms typically offer rooms and/or meals from their own produce.) Within the boundaries of the municipality there are also some well-known hot springs: Bagni San Filippo. Tempted tourists can choose between private spas, which charge entrance, and the free, public ones.

Eat
Small restaurant specialising in "Pici" - a handmade Tuscan pasta dish; and "bistecca alla fiorentina" - steak from Chianina cattle, which originate in the area and is one of the oldest cattle breeds in the world.

Go next
Nearby is the picturesque town of San Quirico d'Orcia.