Mount Amiata and Val d’Orcia are two places in Tuscany where we discover curious itineraries to understand the real beauty of this part of the region.
The route can involve the scenic roads inserted in beautiful scenery where the green and history come together in a wonderful “framework” to be observed with passion: Original Italian cultural heritage.
The environment is really fascinating with the wealth coming from the woods, olive groves, chestnut trees, not to mention the charm of the story when we encounter the ancient villages, almost to characterize this area of Tuscany including the provinces of Siena and Grosseto.
Do not forget the cultural and environmental riches to know during our walk: many places are included in the UNESCO Universal Heritage of Humanity. It is a significant recognition just to emphasize the historical and environmental importance of the realities that we encounter on our path.
Our itinerary begins with Pienza, a world heritage site since 1996, without forgetting San Quirico d’Orcia and Bagno Vignoni, pretty medieval towns to see with passion when we visit areas of southern Tuscany.
The town that has a history of wine behind is definitely Montepulciano, known now all over the world for its precious nectar of Bacchus become, over time, a true ambassador unaware of Tuscany.
Montepulciano, situated on the border between Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana, is a beautiful gem of the Renaissance: the walk we observe the sumptuous palaces and the superb churches. Our culture is enriched by walking because the historical evidence does not leave room for doubt: the wealth of knowledge is truly meaningful. Not to be missed.
The other scenario is really quaint Montalcino: thanks to the powerful walls of the fortress leads to constant battles between Siena and Florence for the control of the disputed territory. The village in Tuscany town is known throughout the world because it is produced in the locality Brunello wine, another unconscious ambassador the same way as the wine of Montepulciano.
They can not miss the different places to be reached through the back roads: we can know and appreciate this captivating part of Tuscany. When we walk the road from Montalcino to Sant’Antimo, you can see the slopes of the mountain dotted by numerous villages with their bell towers: a surreal postcard by truly stunning scenery. The valleys are full of olive trees that produce oil of “Olivastra” to which the name DOP was recognized.
There is another unwitting ambassador of Italian tourism because the oil of Tuscany are exported all over the world; with his winning flavor the tables of millions of foreigners to goodness and delicacy of flavor of the olives of Tuscany, offering a high quality product. We pass in Seggiano, essential place for lovers of the Montecucco wine, another famous product of the area that allows you to represent Tuscany in the world.
Path not lose a wonderful visit to the Romanesque Sant’Antimo, the powerful abbey that stood on the Via Francigena. The atmosphere is definitely magical and almost surreal atmosphere. The monastery is located in a valley next to the medieval village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, still inhabited by monks.
We continue with the medieval charm with a stop at Castle Potentino, before arriving at the village of Seggiano. The building, shown on the cards since 1042, appeared a possession of the Bishop of Chiusi in the year 1209; immediately after she passed the Abbey of San Salvatore, following some Sienese and foreign aristocratic families.
Among the famous guests who stayed in the historic cradle remember the painter Caravaggio and St. Catherine of Siena, who stopped while he was traveling to Montegiovi. Today it is the property of the English writer Graham Greene heirs, author of Our Man in Havana and The Quiet American.
The castle, transformed into farm and farm, is open only by appointment and making direct sales of Olivastra oil, the award-winning wine Potentino and emerging Sacromonte, who has achieved great international acclaim.
When we follow our route with our car, along the ancient walls lining the small town of Seggiano, we admire the view Amiata is projected directly onto Montegiovi and medieval villages.
The enchantment when we see these wonders do not end easily because it leaves a mystery that we have to slowly understand. The place charm enriches the view.
