Breathtaking natural landscapes, a storybook medieval quarter and community theater productions await in this peaceful hilltop town above the Val d’Orcia.
Monticchiello is one of the many towns with gorgeous scenery that you can visit while touring Tuscany’s Siena province. The town’s origins trace back to Roman times and it flourished as a medieval stronghold from the mid-1200s. Today, Monticchiello is recognized for its close-knit community spirit, summer theater productions and agritourism.
The town’s historic quarter is a compact, walled area that appears as though it has been plucked from a movie set. Spacious streets lead to brick-paved squares framed by stone houses with flower-filled balconies and shuttered windows. Punctuating the skyline are seven towers that have survived since the towns heyday. Two of them flank the main gateway, Porta Sant’Agata.
One of the most important landmarks is Chiesa dei Santi Leonardo di Limoges e Cristoforo. This 13th-century Gothic church dominates the sleepy Piazza Commenda. Venture inside to admire frescoes created by artists of the Siense School. Pietro Lorenzetti and Pietruccio di Betto are among the painters whose works decorate the walls.
A great time to visit is in July and August when the Teatro Povero puts on its annual show. Local residents write, direct, choreograph and perform every aspect of the shows, which bring to life social and political issues relevant to the town. Performances are open-air and run from Tuesday to Sunday.
Monticchiello is a burgeoning agritourim destination. Farms in the immediate surroundings present opportunities to get up-close with Tuscany’s stunning countryside. Relax at the farms’ swimming pools, dine on locally sourced produce and explore the region on rented bike. Similarly, the green landscapes and terraced fields of nearby Riserva Naturale Lucciolabella and Riserva Naturale Pietraporciana are a photography- and nature-lover’s paradise.
Monticchiello is just a 20-minute drive from PienzaOpens in a new window and MontepulcianoOpens in a new window and easy to visit on a daytrip from both towns. Parking is available at the entrance to the old town. Active visitors might want to get here on foot via the hilly country lanes of the Val d’Orcia.
