A land of beauty, history, and traditions, where the landscape becomes art in a perfect harmony between man and nature, in the heart of Tuscany.
The Area
The Val d’Orcia, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage cultural site, extends into the Sienese hinterland, in Tuscany, and includes the villages of Castiglione d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani, and San Quirico d’Orcia.
An agricultural and pastoral landscape, characterized by an innovative land management system, which includes towns, villages, farmhouses, the ancient Via Francigena, and the structures built along it, such as abbeys and bridges.
The Val d’Orcia represents an exceptional example of how the landscape was transformed during the Renaissance to reflect the ideals of good governance and aesthetic research. Celebrated by the painters of the Sienese School, this territory has become a Renaissance icon that has profoundly influenced thinking about landscape and its representations.
In addition, the landscape of the Val d’Orcia tells a story of balance and coexistence between man and nature, where human action has redesigned the profile of the territory and given life to numerous food and wine excellences, such as the prized Brunello di Montalcino or the Orcia DOC wine.
The Criteria and the Exceptional
Universal Value
Universal Value
In 2004, after a process that began in 2000, the Val d’Orcia site was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural landscape, due to the excellent state of conservation of the landscape, a result of intelligent human interventions, and for the influence it had on Renaissance artists.
The Unesco Convention indeed recognizes as “cultural landscapes” those landscapes that represent “joint creations of man and nature” and that illustrate the evolution of a society and its settlement over time.
At the basis of the inscription on the World Heritage List is the recognition of an Exceptional Universal Value such that the Site – or the property – is considered as belonging to all peoples of the world, beyond the territories in which it is located, on the basis of at least one of the 10 established criteria.
Criterion (IV)
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history.
The Val d’Orcia is an exceptional example of the redesign of the pre-Renaissance landscape, which illustrates the ideals of good government and the aesthetic research that guided its conception.
Criterion (VI)
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
Celebrated by the painters of the Sienese School, the Val d’Orcia has become an icon of the landscape that has profoundly influenced the development of landscape thought.
The Commitment
Recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site is a great honor, but also a responsibility that requires constant commitment. Preserving the Val d’Orcia means protecting its unique landscape, its history, and its traditions, so that they can be passed on to future generations.
The protection of this extraordinary heritage goes hand in hand with its enhancement: promoting culture, supporting local communities, and fostering harmonious development that respects the identity of the territory.
The Municipalities of Val d’Orcia, aware of the great heritage they safeguard, renew their commitment every day through concrete actions, contributing to keeping this territory alive and authentic, conscious of the great legacy to be preserved.
The Municipalities
Management Plan
The Management Plan is the strategic and operational document that outlines the protection and enhancement measures aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation of the World Heritage Site. It guarantees compliance with the criteria of Outstanding Universal Value and safeguards the Site for future generations.
The photographic archive
OF VAL D’ORCIA
Inside the World Heritage landscape.
In the digital photographic archive of the Val d’Orcia Park where it is possible to trace the evolution and transformation of the landscape in balance with the work of the inhabitants of the five municipalities.
A dialogue between nature and man that has given life to the artistic, natural, cultural beauty recognized by UNESCO.