Monticchiello is a small centre in the heart of the Orcia valley whose beauty derives from its geographical position and the harmonious integration of its medieval architecture.
Monticchielo, not far off the main road between Montepulciano and Pienza, is best known for its plays titled "Teatro Povero", which are presented in July and August.

Monticchiello still retains its old walls, towers and castle, the village inside the fortifications has maintained intact its medieval characteristics. Walking down the main street, there is the church of S. Agata. The 13th century Church of Santo Leonardo e Cristóforo, with a Gothic facade, contains an altar-piece of the Madonna con bambino by Pietro Lorenzetti.

Monticchiello was the main center of the defensive organization on the oriental border of Siena and so during its history was often object of wars and assaults, destruction and occupations. The whole system of the fortifications is chained to the Torre del Cassero, set in the highest point of the hill where the hamlet rises. The Torre del Cassero is the only tower of medieval fortress that remains intact. The tower is private property. In 1967 it was purchased by the sculptor Eila Hiltunen [1] and her husband.

Special event is the il Teatro Povero, the Poor Theatre, a most impressive and clear sign of the town's vitality. Every year a new production, written, conceived and directed by the people of Monticchiello' returns to speak of past, present and future events of this community.

Villa La Foce, between Montepulciano and Pienza, is located near the site of an Etruscan settlement and a burial-place dating from the 7th century BC. The harmony between this garden and the surrounding nature makes la Foce an ideal example of Tuscany’s architectural and cultural evolution in the 20th century. The Villa itself was built in the late 15th century as a hostel for pilgrims and merchants traveling on the via Francigena. In 1924 the property was bought by Antonio Origo and his wife Iris. The gardens and estate of La Foce constitute one of the most important and best kept early twentieth-century gardens in Italy. [2]

The chamber music festival Incontri in Terra di Siena, was founded in 1989 by Benedetta Origo and her son, Antonio Lysy, in memory of Iris and Antonio Origo. The festival is held each year at the end of July / beginning of August.>

Incontri in Terra di Siena - 2009 Season

Restaurants Monticchiello

For a couple of restaurant suggestions stop by either La Taverna di Moranda or Osteria La Porta. See the link below for reviews of both. If you are looking for outdoor seating with a view of the valley then opt for Osteria La Porta. If the view is not of concern (as it may be dark) then consider La Taverna di Moranda.

Osteria La Porta | Via del Piano 1, 53026 Monticchiello | www.osterialaporta.it
The tavern is located next to the medieval main gate of Monticchiello. During the summereit is possible The terrace offers a wonderful sight on Pienza, the Val d'Orcia and Monte Amiata.

Ristorante Taverna Di Moranda | Via di Mezzo, 17, Monticchiello | www.tavernadimoranda.it
The Taverna di Moranda, along the main street of the village, almost carved into the mountain stone, offers a traditional cuisine, with some twists of innovation. Seasonal truffles and game, home-made pasta and desserts, and a rich wine cellar with Tuscan, Italian and French wines will accompany your meal.

It was Pienza that Renaissance town-planning concepts were first put into practice after Pope Pius II decided, in 1459, to transform the look of his birthplace.

He transformed the original fortified village of Corsignano, a Piccolomini feud and Aeneas's birthplace, and renamed it Pienza by papal bull in 1462. The architect Bernardo Rossellino was commissioned to design the monumental piazza with its splendid cathedral and palaces, all built between 1459-64. A particularly good sheep's cheese (pecorino or cacio) is made in the district. Piazza Pio II , laid out by Bernardo Rossellino, is a remarkable example of Renaissance town planning. It shows the influence of Leon Battista Alberti, Rossellino's master. To one side of the beautifully paved piazza is an elegant well, also designed by Rossellino, flanked by two slender columns with finely carved capitals and an architrave.
Its luminous cathedral, Cattedrale dell'Assunta, houses panel paintings by the most renowned Sienese artists of the period.
The Duomo which dominates the center of the piazza, has a facade that is one of the earliest designed in the Renaissance manner. Though the tripartite division is conventional, the use of pilasters and of columns, standing on high dados and linked by arches, was novel for the time. The bell tower, however, has a Germanic flavor as is the layout of the Hallenkirche plan, a "triple-nave" plan where the side aisles are almost as tall as the nave; Pius, before he became pope, served many years in Germany and praised the effects of light admitted into the German hall churches in his Commentari.[2] Works of art in the duomo include five altar paintings from the Sienese School, by Sano di Pietro, Matteo di Giovanni, Vecchietta and Giovanni di Paolo.
Next door, the imposing family residence Palazzo Piccolomini is graced with a loggia offering a fabulous panorama over val d' orcia.
The town hall and the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's quarters) with its museum display homogeneity of style.The church dedicated to San Francesco (13th century), the city walls and the austere Pieve di Corsignano, first documented in 714, all date back to the medieval ages.
The Romanesque Pieve of Corsignano is located in the neighbourhood.


 

The medieval castle of Castelluccio (literally little castle) lies on the summit of a hill on the La Foce estate. Each summer, the cultural association La Tartaruga organizes art shows at the medieval castle Castelluccio. The curator, Plinio de Martiis (known for his important gallery in Rome) has in recent years brought the work of renowned artists such as Kounellis and Manzoni to Castelluccio, as well as promoting young, less famous artists.

The Pieve di Santa Maria dello Spino, between Monticchiello and Bagno Vignoni, is used on the annual Corpus Domini procession, the Processione del Corpus Domini. The church of Santa Maria dello Spino, which nowadays belongs to the Gonzi family and lies just 2 km. from Le Fontanelle, is one of the most important little churches of the Val d'Orcia.
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The Castello di Spedaletto, situated half way between Bagno Vignoni and Monticchiello, was built in the 12th century by the monk Ugolino da Rocchione, to host the pilgrims and wayfarers who travelled the old Via Francigena, one of the most important roads in Europe in the Middle Ages. Already in the year 1200 the castle was administrated by the Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala and had surely the function of a fortified farm as well as hostel for the pilgrims. In the Middle of 15th century the castle was restored and got additional fortifications.

The huge Downy Oak (or Pubescent Oak) at Le Checche

The huge oak tree at Le Checche is situated near Spedaletto, along the provincial road no. 53 which goes from Bagno Vignoni to Radicofani, across the Val d'Orcia. The downy oak tree is 360 years old, it is 20 mt high, with a diametre of 19 mt. The girt of the trunk is of 4,65 mt. See map.

Villa La Foce, a fabulous villa with famous garden Villa La Foce, was created by Iris Origo and Cecil Pinsent. Pinsent worked from 1927 onwards at La Foce, developing a romantic garden around a villa that had originally been a pilgrim hospice on the via Francigena.
Villa La Foce is the main house on La Foce Estate, consisting today of 450 hectares of
farmland and several farmhouses. It was originally built at the end of the XVth century as a wayside tavern, but soon became the centre of an estate belonging to the great Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena. In 1924 it was bought by Antonio and Iris Origo.[2]

There are many cultural activities organized by and around La Foce, held mainly in the ‘Castelluccio’, a medieval castle only 1 mile away.

Gardens in Tuscany | Villa La Foce

Anello La Foce – Riserva Lucciola Bella – Castelluccio | 12,5 km