Val d’Orcia

The Val d'Orcia offers a stunning landscape full of colors. Characterized by soft, clay-like hills covered with little woods and vast plains cultivated with grains and vineyards, it is one of the most significant examples of a self-sufficient economy expressed through cultivation. Val d'Orcia was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.

Renaissance village

Pienza is an open-air museum and is one of the best-preserved Renaissance towns in Tuscany. It is a wonderful example of 15th century urban design. Its landscape has been depicted in works of art from Renaissance painting to modern photography. Pienza has a rich history dating back to Etruscan times. This area was settled by the Etruscans, known for their love of fine art. 

Papal summer residence

Pienza was a sleepy village until the 15th century when Pope Pius II decided to make it the seat of his papacy. The pope wanted to show his wealth and power and chose this hilltop location with extraordinary views over the Val d'Orcia. He commissioned the greatest architects, sculptors, and painters of his time to design the ideal city and residence for him. The papal palace dates back to the 14th century. It has been converted into a museum, which displays splendid works of art and frescoes that bear testimony to the Etruscan and Roman history of the area. The museum also houses many fabulous collections of paintings by famous artists such as Andrea della Robbia and Jacopo della Quercia.

Lovely Tuscan countryside

Feel the essence of Val d'Orcia through breathtaking views, sleepy hill towns and scenic medieval abbey villages. Loved for its rolling green hills and patchworked fields, the area has been celebrated in paintings and literature for centuries. You'll never find a better place to take aesthetically pleasing pictures and get Italian peace of mind.