San Quirico d'Orcia

San Quirico d'Orcia is a rural municipality located in the heart of Tuscany, in the picturesque Orcia Valley. It is a territory of undeniable charm, made up of rolling hills, vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, lush olive groves, and ancient villages that seem unchanged by time. In the province of Siena, San Quirico d'Orcia is a place where tranquility reigns supreme, with a population of just over two thousand inhabitants. Geographically, the municipality is located in the southernmost area of Tuscany, not far from Mount Amiata, a region famous for its natural beauty and the splendor of its peaks, the highest in all of Tuscany. The name of San Quirico d'Orcia comes from a Roman bishop, San Quirico, who suffered martyrdom during the persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire. The connection with the figure of San Quirico is still very much felt by the local community. San Quirico is a municipality rich in history and legends, embellished by the presence of monuments that testify to the different eras it has gone through. The narrow streets of the historic center are animated by tales of medieval life and traces of the many dominations that have marked the culture and appearance of the village over the centuries. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking. The green hills dotted with rows of vines and olive trees, the undulating wheat fields like a golden sea, the cypress trees that stand out on the horizon like slender figures: this is the typical landscape of the Val d'Orcia, a timeless setting that has inspired artists, poets, and painters. The typical architecture of San Quirico also contributes to creating a unique atmosphere. The buildings, mainly made of stone, mostly date back to past centuries, and their style reflects with great skill the historical and artistic evolution of the place. Furthermore, the city preserves ancient traditions linked to the rhythms of nature and the agricultural year. Characteristic are the celebrations for the grape harvest and the olive harvest, occasions to rediscover ancient techniques and taste the local typical products. The extra virgin olive oil produced in this area is appreciated not only in Italy, but all over the world for its superior quality. Finally, one cannot forget the importance of wine for the territory of San Quirico. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano are just some of the most famous wines produced nearby. This small village offers a unique experience, a dive into the history and Tuscan way of life, accompanied by breathtaking views. San Quirico d'Orcia is a true gem of Tuscany, a place that enchants and fascinates, where time seems to have stopped to preserve the beauty and authenticity of the land and its people.

ISTAT code: 052030

Available Opportunities

Neighboring municipalities

Castiglione d'Orcia, Pienza

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Companies, Institutions and Points of Interest in the municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia:

San Quirico d'Orcia, a municipality located in the heart of Tuscany, represents an interesting example of local development characterized by a wide variety of economic activities. The Enoteca Consorziale dei Vini di Montalcino stands out for its important wine production, which involves several small local businesses. It boasts the label of "City of Wine", thanks to the production of high-quality wines including Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, Moscadello di Montalcino, and Sant'Antimo. The numerous small wine producers in the municipality work cooperatively, often sharing viticulture and winemaking techniques and jointly promoting the quality of their products. They are able to obtain very high-quality wines, recognized internationally, and to establish collaborations with other world-renowned wineries. Alongside the wine industry, many other local businesses contribute to the economic dynamism of San Quirico d'Orcia. Among these are hotels and restaurants that overlook the picturesque streets of the historic center, offering a warm and authentic welcome to tourists and visitors. At the same time, a significant number of artisan shops produce traditional local products, keeping alive the ancient Tuscan traditions. Local artisans, taking advantage of the region's natural products, create unique objects such as ceramics, fabrics, and furniture. The agricultural cooperative "Agricoltura e Sviluppo" is an entrepreneurial reality that contributes to the socio-economic progress of the region. The company implements environmentally sustainable agricultural projects, promotes the adoption of innovative technologies, and supports the well-being of local communities through training and environmental awareness initiatives. In particular, the company is committed to respecting and protecting the environment and promoting responsible use of natural resources. Another important distinctive feature of San Quirico d'Orcia is represented by the numerous high-quality local businesses. From gastronomy, offering typical products such as extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, cured meats, and truffles, to boutiques selling high-quality and original fashion items. Let's not forget, among the noteworthy entrepreneurial activities, the fascinating world of beekeeping: the Azienda Agricola Il Poggio is indeed an important reality dedicated to the organic production of honey and related products. An example of a local enterprise that has been able to blend tradition and innovation, offering quality products and respecting the environment. In conclusion, the local businesses of San Quirico d'Orcia represent an interesting range of activities emerging from the fertile Tuscan land, which blend tradition, innovation, and environmental sustainability, contributing to the maintenance and development of the local economy and the cultural uniqueness of the region.

Community and Government

Statistics

The municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, identified by the ISTAT code 52030, has a total population of 2,587 inhabitants, of which 1,263 are males and 1,324 are females. It is interesting to note the presence of a foreign community, composed of 339 individuals. The territory covers an area of 42.2351 square kilometers, with 1,666 dwellings, 1,179 of which are occupied while the remaining 487 are vacant. This presence of empty housing leaves room for potential investments in the real estate sector, both for the purchase and resale of properties, and for the creation of accommodation facilities such as bed and breakfasts or holiday homes. San Quirico d'Orcia, located at an altitude of 409 meters, is neither a coastal nor an island municipality. It is a sparsely populated area predominantly characterized by hills, which presents opportunities for further development related to agritourism and wine tourism. Agriculture plays a crucial role in the region, as indicated by the name of the agricultural region it belongs to, "Colline di Val d'Orcia". In terms of accessibility, the municipality can be reached in 44 minutes from a train station, 37 minutes from a highway access, 81 minutes from an airport, and 90 minutes from a port. These data provide an indication of moderate accessibility to the area. The accommodation offer is varied, with a total of 72 establishments including hotels and non-hotel facilities offering a total of 1,389 beds. There are no luxury hotels, but there is a decent capacity in the three and four-star categories, with 168 and 54 beds respectively. There are also two structures defined as Tourist Residences, offering 186 beds. The offer is completed with 41 rental accommodations managed as businesses, 20 agritourisms, an alpine refuge, and a bed & breakfast. The absence of museums or similar cultural institutions in the municipality suggests a possible area for investment in the cultural sector. The promotion and development of cultural and artistic activities could further increase the tourist attractiveness of the area. In conclusion, San Quirico d'Orcia represents a territory that offers various investment opportunities, particularly in the real estate and tourism sectors. Its geographical location and the characteristics of the territory make it particularly suitable for the development of agricultural and agritourism activities, wine and food tourism, and cultural tourism. The existing infrastructure allows moderate access to the area, which could be improved with targeted investments. Finally, the existence of a large housing stock partly unused opens up interesting possibilities for conversion and development in the hospitality and tourism sector.

ISTAT COD AND MUNICIPALITIES
ISTAT code052030
MunicipalitySan Quirico d'Orcia
INHABITANTS (2023)
Total Inhabitants2587
Males1263
Females1324
TERRITORIAL SURFACES
HOUSES 2021
Occupied dwellings as of December 31st1.179
Unoccupied dwellings as of December 31st487
Homes as of December 31st1.666
Stranieri
Males149
Females190
Total339
5 STARS AND 5 STAR LUXURY
Exercises0
Beds0
Rooms0
Bathrooms106
4 STARS
Exercises2
Beds127
Rooms54
Bathrooms65
3 STARS
Exercises2
Beds168
Rooms77
Bathrooms84
2 STARS
Exercises0
Beds0
Rooms0
Bathrooms0
1 STAR
Exercises1
Beds24
Rooms12
Bathrooms15
Tourist Hotel Residences
Exercises2
Beds186
Rooms74
Bathrooms88
Total Hotels
Exercises9
Beds816
Rooms320
Bathrooms358
Campsites and Tourist Villages
Number0
Beds0
Rental accommodation managed in an entrepreneurial manner
Number41
Beds284
Farmhouses
Number20
Beds267
Youth Hostels
Number0
Beds0
Holiday homes
Number0
Beds0
Alpine refuges
Number1
Beds18
Other accommodation facilities
Number0
Beds0
Bed & Breakfast
Number1
Beds4
Total non-hotel establishments
Number63
Beds573
Total accommodation facilities
Number72
Beds1389
2020 Museums and Similar Institutions
Number of museum institutions
Number of visitors
Fasce altimetriche
PERIMETER_KM36.69
AREA_KMQ42.12
0-299 (%)34.1
300-599 (%)65.9
600-899 (%)0.0
900-1.199 (%)0.0
1.200-1.499 (%)0.0
1.500-1.999 (%)0.0
2.000-2.499 (%)0.0
>=2.500 (%)0.0
% Total100
Agrarian region
Agricultural Region Code5207
Denomination: Agricultural RegionCOLLINE DI VAL D'ORCIA
Other statistical classifications
Altitude of the center (meters)409
Coastal municipalityNo
Island municipalityNo
Coastal areasNo
Level of urbanizationZone scarsamente popolate
Accessibility indices (in minutes)
Railway stations with active passenger service44
Access to the motorway network37
Airports81
Ports with passenger service90
Piano Strategico Nazionale per le Aree Interne
Già Area 2014-2020NO
SNAI 2020E - Periferico
Aree SNAI 2021 - 2027Amiata Valdorcia - Amiata Grossetana - Colline del Fiora

The municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, although not previously included in the areas designated for the plan during the 2014-2020 period, is now involved in the development and enhancement strategies identified by the National Strategic Plan for Inner Areas 2021-2027 (PSNAI). Classified as "E - Peripheral" in 2020, San Quirico d'Orcia is part of the SNAI areas from 2021 to 2027, included among the areas of Amiata Valdorcia, Amiata Grossetana, and Colline del Fiora. This means that this territory, recognized for its peculiarities and potential, will benefit from the development and support measures provided by the plan, which aims to reduce territorial disparities and promote further socio-economic development. In light of this, it is important for local administrations to make good use of the resources available, implementing projects capable of combining the enhancement of local heritage and innovation, in order to attract new investments, promote economic growth, and improve the quality of life.

News on TRAVELNOSTOP

In the heart of Tuscany, nestled on a hill in the green valleys of Orcia, lies the charming village of San Quirico d'Orcia. This town, rich in history and charm, offers visitors a true journey into the past, amidst ancient monuments and artistic wonders. The heart of the town is undoubtedly the Church of San Quirico and Giulitta, dedicated to the town's patron saints. Originally Romanesque but remodeled in Gothic style, the church is renowned for its splendid portal decorated with a magnificent medieval bestiary. Wandering through the village's streets allows you to discover other treasures, such as the Collegiate Church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta, a true jewel of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, with its exquisite façade adorned with bas-reliefs and three magnificent apses. Also not to be missed is a visit to the Chapel of Santa Maria Assunta, another architectural gem in the historic center, and the Church of San Biagio in Vescovado, with its distinctive octagonal bell tower, a true symbol of the town. Monuments aren't the only attractions in San Quirico d'Orcia, however. Other places of daily life hold just as many surprises. These include the Renaissance-style Palazzo Chigi, home of the noble Chigi family; the ancient thermal spring of Bagno Vignoni, already known in ancient times for its sulfurous waters; and the Giardini Leonini, a little paradise in the historic center, with boxwood flowerbeds geometrically arranged to create a wonderful interplay of shapes and colors. The town's streets also host a series of events that engage both residents and visitors. Among these, the Festa del Barbarossa stands out, a journey back in time to the 12th century, when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was welcomed to San Quirico d'Orcia. During the event, the historic center is decked out in festive attire with flag-throwers, musicians, jugglers, and master falconers, while inns offer medieval delicacies and shops display period artifacts. Furthermore, the Sagra del Bicchierino, a festival dedicated to the famous local wine, takes place every year. Here, visitors can taste the area's finest wines, strolling along the tasting trail set up for the occasion in the heart of the village. San Quirico d'Orcia is therefore a place of undeniable charm, where history, art, and traditions blend into a unique, unforgettable experience. A village to discover, experience, and savor, for a full immersion in the most authentic part of Tuscany.

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