Fonte Bertusi Journal
San Quirico d’Orcia
San Quirico d’Orcia
On the northern boundary of the valley, San Quirico d’Orcia grew up around the medieval village of Osenna. In 1256 it was taken over by Siena. It still retains its medieval town-planning structure. In the center, enclosed by walls, you can visit the Collegiate Church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta, its magnificent Romanesque-Gothic portals, the church of the Misericordia, Palazzo Pretorio, Palazzo Chigi, and Santa Maria di Vitaleta. The Horti Leonini, with its formal gardens laid out around 1540 by Diomede Leoni, hosts exhibitions of contemporary sculpture. Your visit is completed with the church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Rose Garden, and the ancient Scala Hospital.
Continuing south on the Cassia you come to Bagno Vignoni, a spa center founded in the middle ages and celebrated for its “water square”. On the slope going down to the river, the Parco dei Mulini, is an interesting testimony of medieval hydraulic construction and techniques for exploiting the power of water.
Distance from Fonte Bertusi: 7 km – 8 minutes drive time