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ePaper created 2014-03-28, 10:53:57 | version 1.29.00
29 CASTIGLIONE D’ORCIA Castiglione d’Orcia marks the border between Val d’Orcia and the forests of Monte Amiata. This ancient land holding of the Aldobrandeschi family was contended by the Salimbeni family and Siena in the 1300s. The focus of the town is a square dedicated to the painter and sculptor Lorenzo di Pietro, better known as Il Vecchietta, where the town hall overlooks a well in travertine marble bearing the date 1618. The church dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena, as well as that dedicated to Santi Stefano e Degna are well worth a visit. The historical centre is overshadowed by the remains of the Rocca Aldobrandesca and the Rocca a Tentennano fortifications. Visitors to Rocca d'Orcia may admire the Pieve di San Simeone (13th century), and the churches dedicated to Compagnia di San Sebastiano and Madonna del Palazzo, with the latter now transformed into a house. A cistern marks the centre of the town square. Outlying areas of the municipality include Vivo d’Orcia, a family resort bordering on Monte Amiata’s beech woods. Just a short distance from the centre lies l’Eremo del Vivo (or “Contea”), a late-Renaissance structure designed by Antonio da Sangallo the younger. A walk uphill from the spring of the Vivo river and acqueduct leads through beech woods to the tiny church at Ermicciolo and some interesting constructions believed to represent the oldest settlement in Vivo d’Orcia. Another worthwhile destination is Campiglia d’Orcia, which has conserved its medieval appearance with narrow streets, ramps of stairs and covered walkways. Nearby lie the remains of the tower known as Campigliola. Rocca di Tentennano This massive medieval tower is adorned with a terrace which offers breathtaking views over Val d’Orcia. It also hosts temporary exhibits. Sala d’arte San Giovanni Via San Giovanni 10 It is housed in the historical home of the confraternity of the same name. It displays paintings by some of the greatest artists of the Sienese school during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. VALDORCIA_INT_ING 30-07-2009 18:49 Pagina 29