“VERY SUPERSTITIOUS” by Stevie Wonder.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2PJ__4Nzzkk&si=DQDr0QZxJRTx0cuQ
This is Val d’Orcia, included in 2004 in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A unique encounter of art and nature, rich in evidence of the past, with a natural landscape redesigned during the Renaissance to reflect the ideals of ‘good government’ in the Italian city-state.
Superstition has often to do with numbers. I know that in some countries 13 is a very bad number. Well, in Italy, 13 is considered a lucky number, whilst fearing the number 17. Better be careful and do not plan anything important on a Friday 17, because it is considered a very bad day. Below is a link to a lighthearted article about superstitions in Italy.
https://instantlyitaly.com/are-italians-really-superstitious-superstition-in-italy/
It’s a short stage today, but a beautiful one,the reason is to break what would be 29 KM trek to Radocafani, including a long climb at the end of the day.
We shall depart along the Via Dante Alighieri, the pedestrian street,turning right on to the Via Matteoli,then left onto Via Garibaldi,some suburban walking then at a Y junction ( 1.2KM ), the road turns to gravel and climbs,sometimes steeply,leading to a fine view.
The road returns to concrete on the descent,but we follow arrows to the left, to enter the picturesque hamlet of Vignoni Alto.
https://castellitoscani.com/en/vignoni-castle/
“This village has a unique attraction – in traditional Italian towns and villages there is a main square in the centre. In Bagno Vignoni there is a pool 49 metres long and 29 wide, from the bottom of which bubble up a number of hot springs. The therapeutic qualities of the waters became renowned and attracted numerous pilgrims travelling the Via Francigena on their way to Rome, one of the main destinations for the Christian pilgrimages. It’s not possible to enter the central pool, but it is possible to enjoy a free warm bath in the springs at the adjacent Parco dei Mulini .” The springs have been visited by notable such as St Catherine of Siena,Pope PiusII AND Lorenzo the Magnificent.
Leaving the village there is a sign to a pedestrian bridge over the River Orcia,however it has been closed for repairs,if not reopened, we continue downhill to the Via Cassia and cross via the auto bridge. Then veering right along a driveway to an Osteria, before which turning left on to the VF. We cross the SP323, passing a small vineyard and orchard on to a gravel road to Castiglione d’Orcia.
A thousand-year-old village in the heart of Tuscany
The charming town of Castiglione d’Orcia, in the province of Siena, is perched on one of the verdant hills of the Val d’Orcia, between rows of vineyards and roads lined with cypress trees. It is a typical Tuscan village, with stone and brick houses, offering beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
The charming if tiny central piazza of Castiglione d’Orcia, the Piazza il Vecchietta, is dedicated to the Senesi painter, sculptor and architect, Lorenzo di Pietro (1412-1480), known as Il Vecchietta. In the center of the cobbled and sloping piazza there is a beautiful travertine fountain. The cobblestone piazza and its lovely fountain were built in the 1600s, but the rest of the town consists mostly of beautifully preserved medieval structures and streets.
We should have plenty of time to explore them. Link below.
https://www.visittuscany.com/en/towns-and-villages/castiglione-dorcia/
Lodgings for this evening are in B&B II Vecchietta. B&B “The Old Lady”.
Il Vecchietta is a bed and breakfast located in a quiet street in the historic centre of
Castiglione d’Orcia , where you can only find typical stone houses from the medieval era, and from which you can see the two main monuments of the place: the ruins of the
Rocca Aldobrandesca and the imposing
Rocca di Tentennano . Looking further you can admire the splendid hills of the Orcia valley, covered with woods, rows of vineyards and olive groves.
The B&B takes its name from the Sienese painter of the 14th century, Lorenzo di Pietro, known precisely as “il Vecchietta”.
A RECENT REVIEW “The owners of Il Vecchietta, Sylvia and Arturo, were such welcoming and kind hosts and I could not have asked for a more wonderful stay, if only it was longer. Their beautiful B&B is on the Via Francigena pilgrim path located in the historic center of Castiglione d’Orcia. My room was spacious, well furnished and with a great view of the Rocca di Tentennano. The bathroom was also excellent. It was great having access to the communal kitchen after a long day of walking . Sylvia was very accommodating of my early start the next day with a delicious homemade breakfast prepared for me and goodies to go! Thank you both for your generous hospitality and I do hope to return.”
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