Castelluccio: Holiday Apartment, Castle and Cultural History

Castelluccio combines medieval history with a location between roads, valleys and destinations in the surrounding area. As an old stopping point on the Via Francigena, Castelluccio is regarded as a place connected with this pilgrimage route. Castelluccio also lies on the road connecting the Val di Chiana with the Val d’Orcia. When planning a trip, the road between the Val di Chiana and the Val d’Orcia can be taken into consideration. The Via Francigena and the road between the two valleys give the town different historical and geographical points of reference.

Castle complex with medieval traces

Castelluccio is a medieval castle that forms part of the La Foce estate. In 1390, part of Castelluccio was converted into a fortified grancia. A grancia was a fortified farmstead used for agricultural management and control of the area. This function remained in place until 1787. The Church of Santi Bernardino e Andrea Apostolo was built inside the castle in 1783.

The castle complex of Castelluccio features two round corner towers and remnants of the old defensive walls. San Bernardino da Siena preached in Castelluccio long before the Church of Santi Bernardino e Andrea Apostolo was built in 1783. The history of the town also includes more systematic excavations carried out on the initiative of Leone Mieli, which led to the discovery of several tombs in Castelluccio. San Bernardino da Siena also preached in Castelluccio at the beginning of the 15th century.

Location between streams and mountains

The medieval castle of Castelluccio is situated on a hill between the Miglia and Astrone streams, which flow into the Orcia. The mountains Monte Cetona, Monte Calcinaio and Monte Nebbiali are also located in the area around Castelluccio. The Grotte paleolitiche di Belverde is a cave in the area around Castelluccio.

Historic destinations in the surrounding area

The area around Castelluccio offers a variety of cultural and historical themes. The Museo della Tortura di Montepulciano is a museum in the area around Castelluccio. The Parco Archeologico Naturalistico Di Belvedere is an ancient site in the area around Castelluccio. La Scala is considered a historic site, while the Palazzo Piccolomini is a palace in the area around Castelluccio. This means that culture enthusiasts will find not only the castle complex but also a museum, ancient site, historic site and palace in the surrounding area. La Scala and the Palazzo Piccolomini complement the museum and ancient site with further historical references to places and buildings.

Castelluccio di Pienza is also one of the venues for the Incontri in Terra di Siena festival. For culture enthusiasts, the castle complex, church and archaeological traces are the main attractions in Castelluccio; those who take in the landscape will encounter the hill, streams and mountains of the surrounding area.

Further places for your trip planning

Further destinations include Monticchiello and Corsignano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pienza.