Places

Tuscany’s countryside: San Quirico d’Orcia and the pilgrimage

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The pilgrim on Via Francigena [Photo Credits: Around Tuscany http://ow.ly/hqQnt]

When I arrived at San Quirico d’Orcia I was so tired I couldn’t feel my feet anymore. I was exhausted after visiting several cities in the same day; after this I’d suggest you choose one city, stay there, relax, feel the energy of the place. For me Tuscany is a magnificent place to get in touch with one’s self, forget the stress of big cities’ life, leave the hurry behind and just relax. The other possibility in this area is to go on pilgrimage on the Via Francigena like in medieval times;  I have never made a pilgrimage before but I have this fantasy of doing one someday and I hope to write about it here in the blog…

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San Quirico d’Orcia [Photo Credits: Marco Caruso http://ow.ly/gOTdu]

San Quirico d’Orcia

San Quirico d’Orcia is located along Via Francigena, therefore it was a place where  travelers could rest, eat and pray before the continuation of the trip. Nowadays the city is also a step for bike lovers (read more about bike trails here).

San Quirico d’Orcia is not big village and after few steps you will find this beautiful church called Ss. Quirico e Giulietta from 714 (1296 years ago!). The church has been through several restoration phases but it looks perfect now. You’ll recognize it when you see a lion outside.

As it was the beginning of Spring, there was some flowers in window-boxes and all around the city.  In May you shouldn’t miss the Rose Garden. I couldn’t resist taking pictures and you can check our album here on Flickr.

 

Via Francigena

Via Francigena was an ancient road between Rome and Canterbury passing through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. In medieval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route. To pilgrims headed south it was the Via Romea, to those headed north, the Via Francigena. [@Wikipedia]

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— Around Tuscany

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Comments

  1. Amico Museo: museums in Tuscany May 1-16 | TuscanyArts says:
    May 1, 2010 at 8:07 am

    [...] the themes that are being promoted in particular this year, the Via Francigena is protagonist. This is the historic pilgrimage route from Rome to Cantebury traverses Tuscany. The [...]

  2. Vintage train in Tuscany | Around Tuscany - Find yourself under the Tuscan Sun says:
    May 20, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    [...] 8th : Olive Oil Festival in San Quirico d’Orcia – Steam train from [...]

  3. Val d’Orcia in Tuscany | Around Tuscany - Find yourself under the Tuscan Sun says:
    July 8, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    [...] and architecture wanted by Pope Pious II. Other little towns that deserve a visit are: Radicofani, San Quirico d’Orcia, Monticchiello, Rocca d’Orcia,  Montenero d’Orcia and San Giovanni D’Asso, a [...]

  4. Eroica 2010 Legendary bike tour in Tuscany | Around Tuscany - Find yourself under the Tuscan Sun says:
    September 29, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    [...] atmosphere of “heroic” times of cycling. Parts of the track are also included in the Via Francigena, the hystoric path connecting Rome with Canterbury that in medieval times was an important [...]

  5. Bank holiday in Tuscany: Bagno Vignoni and the Valdorcia | Places itineraries trips & events Around Tuscany | Places itineraries trips & events Around Tuscany says:
    May 26, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    [...] think I could use San Quirico D’Orcia as my base and find accommodation in its surroundings, so I’ll have the possibility to travel a [...]