Castiglione d'Orcia

Visit

La Rocca di Tentennano

The reason behind the fort’s construction is pretty intuitive. Perched high upon a steep hill, practically unreachable if not by one road which would be constantly under surveillance. A hill from which one could meticulously check upon the Via Francigena which runs just below the hill. On the other side one can see - and check - the roads that lead to the Maremma and Tuscan coast. An untouchable fortress who’s origins date back to 853. Throughout the years it passed into the hands of many different owners, from the Salimbeni who claimed ownership for the whole of the 14th century. The Republic of Siena only managed to get back control over it thanks to a traitor within the Salimbeni’s crew who opened the front doors for them. Many years later, when the Republic of Siena was dismantled and the Rocca, as well as all of Castiglione d’Orcia, fell under Florence’s jurisdiction, it only occurred because one again, a traitor opened the doors for them.

An array of famous people sojourned in the Rocca throughout the ages, perhaps the most notable figure being Santa Caterina da Siena, in the year 1377. Legend has it that the saint learned how to read and write whilst in the Rocca—by miracle.

The hamlet below and surrounding the Rocca used to act as the first layer of defense, and the fortresses walls have a thickness of 3 meters (9.8 feet).

L’eremo del Vivo

Situated on the outskirts of Castiglione d’Orcia, the Eremo del Vivo is a spiritual construction who’s date and reason of construction, in the middle of the woods, remains uncertain. An Eremo is a place where one would go when they wished to dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and contemplation, a remote place where one could seek solitude. It was most likely built in the 11th century and is attributed to Saint Romolo. The first mentions of the Eremo del Vivo date back th 1113, when it was cited as one of the structures belonging to the Monastery of Camaldoli. The initial structure was of the Eremo and a convent, used by Pope Alessandro IV to hide monks during periods of civil unrest. The ruins of the convent were later built upon on behalf of the Cardinal of Montepulciano who requested a castle to be built in the 13th century. L’Eremo sits in the middle of wooded areas with rich water sources.