San Quirico d`Orcia Holidays @ San Quirico - In the Heart of the Val d`Orcia Artistic Natural and Cultural Park
Like many Tuscan cities,
San Quirico d`Orcia is of Etruscan origin. In 1256, San Quirico became part of the Republic of
Siena and in 1559 it fell under the rule of the Medici family; the Chigi family conquered San Quirico in the 17th century.
The small town is situated on the Via Francigena - the ancient pilgrimage road that connected north-western Europe with Rome - on a hill at the convergence of Val d`Orcia and Val d`Asso. The 14th-century walls with their 14 towers still surround San Quirico.
San Quirico d`Orcia presents an outstanding artistic heritage: particularly interesting is the Romanesque
Collegiate Church (12th-13th century), with its marvelous portals, the inlaid wooden choir by Antonio Barili and a triptych by Sano di Pietro. Near the Collegiate Church there are
Palazzo Chigi-Zondadari (17th century) and the
Palazzo Pretorio, where the company
San Quirico d`Orcia
managing the Val d`Orcia Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park has its head office.
The
Chiesa della Madonna di Vitaleta (or di San Francesco), built in 1867-1870, houses a Madonna attributed to Andrea della Robbia - which is said to have saved San Quirico from an earthquake in the 19th century -, two wooden statues by Valdambrino, a Visitation by Ventura di Salimbeni and the Immaculate Conception and the Preaching of John the Baptist by Jacopo Chimenti, also known as Empoli. The church overlooks Piazza della Libertà, which is the heart of
San Quirico d`Orcia
Realized in the 16th century, the
Horti Leonini are a wonderful example of Italian garden, where the ruins of the Torre del Cassero are to be seen.
The
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 11th century in Romanesque style, and
Porta Cappuccini are worth a visit.
