Travel Information · Pienza, Val d'Orcia

How to Get Here

Directions to Pienza, the Gladiator Field, and the Val d'Orcia

The Val d'Orcia is remote by design — that is part of what makes it extraordinary. It sits in southern Tuscany between Siena, Montepulciano, and the Maremma coast, roughly equidistant from Rome and Florence. A car is by far the best way to explore. Here is everything you need to arrive.

The Best Way

By Car

From Rome (Fiumicino Airport)

2h 30min

Take the A1 motorway north toward Florence. Exit at Chiusi/Chianciano Terme. Follow SP146 through Chianciano toward San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza (about 40 km from the exit). Google Maps: search "Pienza, Siena".

From Florence

1h 30min

Take the A1 south toward Rome. Exit at Valdichiana (Bettolle). Follow SS326 to Torrita di Siena, then SP146 toward San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. Alternatively exit at Chiusi and take the scenic SP146 all the way.

From Siena

1h 15min

Follow SS2 (Via Cassia) south to Buonconvento, then SP451 to Montalcino or directly SS2 to San Quirico d'Orcia. From San Quirico, the SP146 takes you east to Pienza (12 km). The SP146 between San Quirico and Pienza is the most scenic road in the valley.

From Pisa Airport

2h 30min

Take the SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno highway east, then the A1 south to Valdichiana exit. Follow SP146 as above.

Nearest Stations

By Train + Car

Chiusi-Chianciano Terme

35 km from Pienza

The most convenient station — served by Trenitalia regional trains from Rome (1h 50min) and Florence (1h 15min). Rent a car at the station (Hertz, Avis, Europcar available). Then follow SP146 directly to Pienza.

Siena

55 km from Pienza

Higher-frequency trains from Florence (1h 30min by regional). Car rental available at Siena station. Drive south on SS2 then SP146.

Montepulciano (Stazione)

25 km from Pienza

Small station served by the Chiusi–Siena regional line. A taxi from here to Pienza is about 30 minutes.

Getting Around the Valley

Once you arrive in Pienza, keep the two Gladiator locations distinct: Campo di Terrapille is the field near Pienza and should be reached on foot from the public parking areas in town; Podere Poggio Manzuoli, near San Quirico d'Orcia, is the private farmhouse used as Maximus's home and can only be seen from the external gate along the road. Use the car to move between towns and villages, but do not stop on the SP146 for the field.

Parking in Pienza

Pienza's historic centre is ZTL (restricted traffic zone) and pedestrian only. Park in the public parking areas outside the walls, then continue on foot toward Strada di Terrapille for the Gladiator Field. There is no small layby or parking area for the field on the SP146: stopping there is prohibited and fines are frequent.

📍 Val d'Orcia, Tuscany

Open in Google Maps for navigation

Key GPS Coordinates

Pienza town centre: 43.0766° N, 11.6791° E
Campo di Terrapille (The Gladiator Field): 43.0733° N, 11.6833° E
Cappella di Vitaleta: 43.0886° N, 11.6381° E
Pieve di Corsignano: 43.0719° N, 11.6754° E
Bagno Vignoni: 43.0286° N, 11.6106° E
San Quirico d'Orcia: 43.0571° N, 11.6051° E

Practical Tips

Phone signal

Mobile data is patchy in the countryside between towns. Download offline Google Maps or maps.me before leaving home, or buy a paper Touring Club map of Siena province.

Fuel

Fill up before entering the valley. The nearest petrol stations are in Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, and Chianciano Terme. There are no stations between Pienza and the field.

Road quality

The SP146 is well-maintained tarmac. The smaller white gravel roads (strade bianche) to farms and viewpoints are usually passable in a normal car but can be rough after rain. Avoid if you have a low-clearance vehicle.

ZTL zones

Pienza and Montepulciano both have ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) historic centres. These are camera-enforced. Park outside the walls and walk in.

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