Val d’Orcia and its hidden treasures: the chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta
One of the most magical and interesting places in the province of Siena, just a few kilometers from San Quirico is the chapel of the Capella della Madonna di Vitaleta.
The breathtaking view of the chapel is the biggest attraction here. This is probably the most photographed church in all of Tuscany. Professional and hobby photographers from all over the world come here all year round in their quest to capture the moment and take the perfect picture. There is almost no advertising calendar from the area without this iconic place. If you haven’t seen the chapel, it’s as if you haven’t seen Tuscany.
In Val d’Orcia you will enjoy the many beautiful pleated rounded hills, beautiful sunsets and picturesque colors. The chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta is built in the middle of one of the many hills. This mystical building was home to the Renaissance statue of the Madonna, sculpted by the artist Andrea della Robbia in 1590. The impressive tourist attraction was restored in 1184 by the architect Giuseppe Chatani.
Val d’Orcia is one of the most attractive and beautiful places in Tuscany. Val d’Orcia has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The statue of the Madonna has been moved to a church in the nearby town of San Quirico. The “Church of the Madonna” as it is better known is a place of attraction for the numerous tourists who flock here to photograph the statue. Every year a festival is held in honor of the Madonna. Quiet music is brought from the church during the celebrations. The presence during the holiday here is something that every tourist will remember and will telling stories about it for a long time.
A beautiful way to explore the chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta and the new home of the statue in San Quirico is to enjoy a day bike tour around the city’s fortress wall and the beautiful surroundings. In the spring everything is in gorgeous green, in the autumn it is deep yellow.
The walk from Pienza to the Chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta passes through the most beautiful part of Val d’Orcia. On the way back, be sure to stop and walk past Terrapille. Check out the famous cypress road, where some of the iconic scenes from the movie Gladiator are filmed.
