In the past, when men rode on horseback and armies marched for days at a time to battle, the Val d’Orcia witnessed countless compelling stories. Emperors, commanders, clergymen and bandits have experienced exploits of all kinds: the fortresses, castles and forts have seen sieges, imprisonments, defeats and victories unfold, and even today it is still possible to visit those places so full of charm.
Many of these fortifications were developed along the route of the Via Francigena, which offers trekkers and bikers breathtaking views. One among them is the one you have on Radicofani: by visiting the village and fortress, built on what remains of a prehistoric volcano, you can relive the exploits of Ghino di Tacco, the gentleman bandit who robbed the rich but let the poor through (and for this reason called “the Robin Hood of the Val d’Orcia”). It was in his prisons that Ghino di Tacco, the abbot of Cluny, was imprisoned, on his way to the hot springs in the area: the prelate was so fascinated by the personality of his jailer that, once released from prison, he interceded on his behalf so that the Pope would lift the excommunication, succeeding in his intention.
Not far from Radicofani is the small fortified village of Contignano, which along with the castles of Vignoni, Monticchiello and Spedaletto is an ideal destination for a relaxing walk among the stones of ancient fortifications.
Perched on the cliffs and surrounded by the vastness of the landscape are some ancient sighting and defense structures. The castle of Campiglia d’Orcia and the nearby fortification of Campigliola made the acquaintance of key figures in history, such as Frederick Barbarossa, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, who came to these lands in search of Arnaldo da Brescia, a heretic in revolt against the papacy.
Numerous sieges have been witnessed by the Rocca di Tentennano, a structure from which there is an unmissable view of the valley, just like the Castello di Monticchiello.
There are many fortifications whose majestic walls interrupt the profile of the horizon; some villages that have sprung up around the castles-such as Montalcino, Torrenieri and Ripa d’Orcia-still preserve the original structures, in an exciting alternation of quaint alleys and ancient walls.
Throughout the Val d’Orcia there are places full of charm, to be explored by traveling slow and fully immersing oneself in the landscape and local history; a discovery that also passes through the typical flavors, capable of telling the stories of those who have always lived in this land.
