All five towns located in the valley (Castiglione d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico) feature urban structures and architectural elements dating back mainly to medieval times (11th – 14th century) and Renaissance (15th – 16th century). Among the architectural works worthy of particular interest are: the Collegiate, the Chigi Zondadari Palace and Horti Leonini of San Quirico, the Cathedral, the Church of S. Francis, the Corsignano’s Pieve, the Ammannati Palace, Pienza’s Piccolomini and Episcopal, the Fortress, the Town Hall, Montalcino’s Church of St. Augustine; Castiglione’s Aldobrandeschi fortress; Radicofani’s Medician fortress and walls.
Besides the largest towns of Val d’Orcia, the area owes its uniqueness to countless villages. Some are fortified, while others are scattered settlements built for civil and/or religious purposes. They form a network of exceptional historical, artistic, architectural and environmental attractions.
Oltre al pregio dei centri maggiori della Val d’Orcia, la singolarità di questo territorio è costituita dalla presenza di innumerevoli borghi, talvolta fortificati, e di insediamenti sparsi – sia civili sia di culto – che nel loro insieme formano un reticolo di riferimenti storici, artistici, architettonici ed ambientali di eccezionale valore.