Castiglioncello del Trinoro: Medieval Village Above the Val d’Orcia

Between a Medieval Fortress and the Val d’Orcia

Castiglioncello del Trinoro combines a striking hilltop setting with traces of a long medieval history. The settlement is home to the Romanesque church of Sant’Andrea, while the Porta Senese dates from the 14th century. In the Middle Ages, Castiglioncello del Trinoro was a fortified commune with five churches. The name of the village also points to this past: it is associated with Castrum trium Latronum, meaning “castle of the three thieves”.

Traces of the Cassero

The hill of Castiglioncello del Trinoro was home to a powerful structure with two towers in the Cassero. It existed at least from the second half of the 10th century until the 14th century. The two observation structures of the Cassero were built a century apart, between the 12th and 13th centuries. The medieval settlement also controlled a route connecting the valley axis with the Via Francigena. The Cassero represents the military aspect of the settlement, while Sant’Andrea is its sacred architectural testimony.

Elevation and Views

Castiglioncello del Trinoro occupies a dominant position at an elevation of 774 metres above the Val d’Orcia. From the village viewpoint, the view extends to the Rocca di Radicofani and Monte Amiata.

Woodland Landscape near Pietraporciana

The Pietraporciana beech forest lies in the immediate surroundings. It covers approximately 12 hectares and is situated between 720 and 830 metres above sea level. Pietraporciana expands the area around the village with a wooded landscape; its elevation range also includes the village’s 774 metres.

Hiking Routes through the Surrounding Area

Castiglioncello del Trinoro is the second stage of a hiking route through the Valdichiana. Another hiking route reaches the village after a continuous ascent and descent towards the farmsteads of Tre Case and Santa Maria. When planning the day, the section towards Tre Case and Santa Maria should not be treated as a level connection, because the continuous ups and downs are explicitly part of the route. For this section, it makes sense to plan in a way that takes both the terrain and the farmsteads of Tre Case and Santa Maria into account, rather than planning arrival in Castiglioncello as the sole destination in advance. Hiking plans therefore include both a fixed stage position on the route through the Valdichiana and an approach via Tre Case and Santa Maria.

Access and Further Waypoints

To reach the La Foce woodland complex, follow the signs from Sarteano to Castiglioncello del Trinoro and then to Le Crocette. Shortly after Castiglioncello del Trinoro, at kilometre 7.7, a road branches off to the left towards the equipped area of Le Crocette. The kilometre marker 7.7 indicates the specific turn-off behind the village.

Also Suitable for Two-Wheeled Travel

In addition to the hiking routes, Castiglioncello del Trinoro is a waypoint on the motorcycle route “In moto tra le Crete e la Val d’Orcia”.

For the overarching travel overview: Sarteano.