Medieval Hill Town · Between Montalcino and Amiata
Castiglione d'Orcia
A fortress town above the valley — and the gateway to Monte Amiata
Castiglione d'Orcia stands on a volcanic cone between the Val d'Orcia and the southern slopes of Monte Amiata. The town rises sharply from the surrounding fields to a central piazza framed by a medieval loggia, with the ruined Rocca di Tentennano visible on the ridge above — a tower fortress so strategically placed it controlled all movement through the valley below for centuries. Today the town is the administrative centre for a large municipality that includes Rocca d'Orcia, Bagni San Filippo, Vivo d'Orcia, and Campiglia d'Orcia — essentially the southern gateway to the Val d'Orcia.
The Town
A Piazza With a Medieval Loggia
The main square of Castiglione d'Orcia is one of the most atmospherically preserved medieval piazzas in the Val d'Orcia: a wellhead in the centre, a 14th-century travertine fountain, and a loggia that has provided shade for the market since the medieval period. The church of Ss. Stefano e Degna contains works by Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini. The whole town takes about 30 minutes to walk — but there is a café and it invites lingering.
Rocca di Tentennano
The Fortress on the Ridge
The Rocca di Tentennano — also called the Rocca d'Orcia — sits on a natural volcanic spire above the hamlet of Rocca d'Orcia, a few kilometres below Castiglione. Built in the 11th century and rebuilt repeatedly through the medieval period, it was one of the most important strategic fortresses in southern Tuscany. From its tower, the views extend across the entire Val d'Orcia — north to Pienza and Monte Oliveto, south to Monte Amiata and the Lazio border. The fortress is open for visits and the climb is worth every step.
Practical Information
- Location
- Castiglione d'Orcia (SI), southern Val d'Orcia, Tuscany
- GPS
- 43.0087° N, 11.6080° E
- From Montalcino
- 14 km south-east (20 min)
- From San Quirico d'Orcia
- 14 km south (20 min)
- Rocca di Tentennano
- Open April–October; small entry fee; 10 min below the town
- Bagni San Filippo
- 12 km south (15 min) — free thermal pools
Gallery