The park, that is now a UNESCO site, was first established as a Protected Natural Area of Local Interest by five communes who saw the need of caring for this natural heritage site. Their aim was to merge local territorial and economic development into a single entity. They therefore sought to create a synergy with nature by encouraging open-mindedness and enthusiasm towards intelligent development of the area and its landscape.
A company called Val d’Orcia s.r.l was set up by the five communes to achieve their aims. The contributing members are the communes of Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia and Radicofani and the Province of Sienna. Other members come from the community of the Siennese Mount Amiata as well as various other groups.
The company was founded in 1966 and is involved in local promotional and development projects, increasing awareness of the ethno-anthropological, cultural and environmental heritage, as well as sustainable development and the manufacture and marketing of local products (crafts, foodstuffs, wines and farm produce). Application was made for Appelation Controlleé status to be given to Val d’Orcia wines. At the same time, the company is promoting tourism aimed at raising cultural awareness as well as specifically targeting food and wine connoisseurs by means of made-to-measure tourist packages and excursions.
The Val d’Orcia Environment
The first thing to strike the visitor to this valley after its ethereal beauty is the variety of scenery that is typified by a constant state of change due to ever-fluctuating weather conditions.
Geologically speaking, the history of Val d’Orcia can be traced back to about 5 million years ago when sea levels dropped leaving sand and clay deposits to form the upper part of the valley. Later on, the volcanoes of Radicofani and Amiata erupted, spewing their lava on to the underlying rock surface. When this hardened, it formed a dark substance known as trachite.
In addition to these events, mention must be made of erosion in some areas that gave rise to creeks and gullies. This combination of geological wonders form a breathtaking spectacle especially with the River Orcia flowing through the valley and out again via a deep cleft. There is a dense mountain forest of beech and chestnut trees on the lower slopes of Mount Amiata.
The fauna is represented by foxes, weasels, badgers, tawny owls, beech martens, porcupines, crows and buzzards.
The most prolific flora are as follows – cypresses, oaks, bitter oaks and holly oaks.
UNESCO INSCRIPTION
Inscription N° 1026 2004 C (iv) (vi)
The Val d’Orcia was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criterion (iv): The Val d’Orcia is an exceptional reflection of the way the landscape was re-written in Renaissance times to reflect the ideals of good governance and to create an aesthetically pleasing pictures.
Criterion (vi): The landscape of the Val d’Orcia was celebrated by painters from the Siennese School, which flourished during the Renaissance. Images of the Val d’Orcia, and particularly depictions of landscapes where people are depicted as living in harmony with nature, have come to be seen as icons of the Renaissance and have profoundly influenced the development of landscape thinking.
