San Quirico d'Orcia: Horti Leonini and Via Francigena

San Quirico d'Orcia combines impressive history, garden art and paths. Between Palazzo Chigi, the Horti Leonini and the Via Francigena, it offers a destination with a variety of experiences. Historic rooms and the holm oak forest of the Horti Leonini, crossed by winding paths, create different focal points. For a holiday apartment in San Quirico d'Orcia, this combination provides a good basis for balancing the focus of your trip between culture, nature and regional delicacies.

Palazzo Chigi and vibrant local history

The history of the town is particularly vivid at Palazzo Chigi. The building was erected in the second half of the 17th century at the instigation of Cardinal Flavio Chigi and designed by the architect Carlo Fontana. A fresco program extends across two floors, featuring allegories of the seasons, the signs of the zodiac, the elements and the arts, as well as mythological scenes.

The Museo del Barbarossa Orfeo Sorbellini presents the history of the Festa, the four historic districts of Borgo, Canneti, Castello and Prato, the competitions of the Alfieri and Arcieri, as well as historic newspapers and archival documents. The original costumes of the historic imperial procession of Emperor Frederick I of Swabia and his wife Beatrice of Burgundy are also exhibited there. Once a year, the costumes are used for the historical re-enactment and historic procession.

Garden art in the Horti Leonini

The Horti Leonini were created around 1580 by Diomede Leoni as a classical Italian garden in the heart of San Quirico d'Orcia. They are divided into a lower, more formally designed area and an upper, more natural area. The upper section lies in a centuries-old holm oak forest crossed by winding paths. The Horti Leonini have also hosted the contemporary sculpture exhibition Forme nel Verde since 1971.

Via Francigena, Cappella and olive oil

The Cappella di Vitaleta is located in a rural setting a few kilometres from San Quirico d'Orcia and can be reached from the SP 146 towards Pienza or from the SR2 Cassia via unpaved roads, as well as on foot along paths. The Via Francigena also provides clear guidance for active days: Stage 35 leads from Ponte d'Arbia to San Quirico d'Orcia, while Stage 36 begins in San Quirico d'Orcia and leads to Radicofani. This stage can be walked and ridden by mountain bike.

The regional culinary experience includes the Festa dell'Olio. It comprises trekking, tastings at olive oil producers and guided tastings in cooperation with AICOO tasting experts. This makes it possible to shape a stay around a combination of exercise and culinary discovery.

Which accommodation suits your plans

Whether you focus on frescoes and local history, garden spaces, hiking trails, mountain bike stages or olive oil, your choice of accommodation can be guided by your preferred daily rhythm. Accommodation in San Quirico d'Orcia is particularly appealing when several of these themes are to come together in one trip. For further ideas in the area, you can also make a note of Bagno Vignoni.

Other places in the same selection: Scrofiano, Siena, Sinalunga, Megognano, Piazze, Radicofani and Badesse.

To the overarching travel overview: Siena.