Pienza, Val d’Orcia
Welcome to Agriturismo Selvoli
Agriturismo Selvoli is located in the Natural and Cultural Artistic Park of Val d’Orcia (UNESCO declared World Heritage Site) at the center of a 50 hectare farm. The old farmhouse is located on a hill from which you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the Val d’Orcia and it is only 5 km far from Pienza and Bagno Vignoni.
The Farm
The restoration of the farm has kept the original appeal of the traditional Tuscan old farm houses, it was carried out with passion, with the awareness of respecting the shapes and the original materials. We offer accomodation in 4 apartments with every comfort, where terracotta, tufa, travertine and wood are the natural protagonists.
Each apartment is named after a Contrada of the Palio di Siena.
The Sourrondings
Along the paths of the farm you are likely to meet with wild animals like porcupines, pheasants, badgers, hares, roe deers and you can also admire the famous “sienese crete”.
Each apartment has its own reserved outdoor area with table, chairs and barbecue
The Swimming Pool
The swimming pool is located in a panoramic position, overlooking the Val d’Orcia and Monte Amiata; although it is very close to the house it remains private, ensuring the guest’s privacy.
Our Family
You will be a guest of the Simonelli Santi family, a historic Val d’Orcia family who still resides in Palazzo Simonelli Santi, the only private cardinal palace left in Pienza, in Corso Il Rossellino 38.
The origins of the Simonelli Santi palace have been the subject of various attributions, the most famous was that the palace was a property of the young cardinal Francesco Gonzaga, but the most interesting was elaborated by the Englishman Charles R. Mack who assumes the palace’s commission to Gregorio Lolli , apostolic secretary of Pope Pius II, based on documentation relating to real estate purchases made by himself in Pienza.
In 1462 he bought two adjacent houses and later a garden in the district of Ciglio, which is located where the building is now standing. Mack argues that Lolli may have assembled the two houses in order to build the now standing palace, then building the hanging garden.
History of Pienza
Until 1462 Pienza was nothing but a small rural village named Corsignano.
The transformation into today’s city is due to its founder, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who was born in 1405, by a noble Sienese family that had been confined to the countryside following political controversy with the city of Siena.
Introducing the ecclesiastical career and becoming Pope Pius II, Enea Silvio, a refined humanist, wanted to transform his native village into a city that would remember his papacy and that, at the same time, would be in opposition to the city that had unjustly marginalized his family, Siena.
Thus, from 1459 to 1462, in only 3 years, Pienza was born, the first model of the Ideal Renaissance City, projects were entrusted to architect Bernardo Rossellino involving other famous artists of the time and Pope Pius II claimed that his cardinals built their own residential building (one of which is today’s Simonelli palace).
Pius II had great plans for Pienza, unfortunately he could not accomplish them because he died on the eve of a Crusade against Muslims in 1464.
Although many projects were not completed Pienza was born, the Ideal city, declared UNESCO World Heritage and today the most important artistic center of the whole Val d’Orcia, and today we can stroll through the streets of Corso Il Rossellino, sit on the steps of Piazza Pius II enjoying the summer breeze or losing us in a sunset on the Val d’Orcia and Mount Amiata overlooking the walls.
Avalaible Services
INCLUDED SERVICES
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- Weekly change of bed linen and bath towels, all utilities (water gas and electricity).
- Use of laundry (with washing machine, iron and ironing board)
- Swimming pool use
- We gladly welcome 4-legged friends at no extra charge but please let us know their presence at the time of booking.
- They will have to be polite and guarded animals, obligation to leash into the outdoor common areas, no access to the pool.
- Owners will be held liable for any damage to property and people.fd
NOT INCLUDED SERVICES
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- Tourist tax € 1.00 per person per night excluding children under 14 years of age
ON REQUEST
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- Private swimming lessons
- Aquagym lessons
- Personal trainer
Cities and attractions in the surroundings
A few kilometers from the farm you will find many places of great artistic value such as Pienza, S. Quirico d’Orcia, Montepulciano, Montalcino, very interesting for gourmet tours as well
For relax lovers the various spa resorts in the area are very recommended. Bagno Vignoni is the nearest, only 5 km far, within about 20 km you can choose among the thermal baths of Bagni S.Filippo, S.Albino and Chianciano.
DISTANCES:
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- Florence at km 120
- Siena at km 54
- Arezzo at km 66
- Rome at km 190