Radicofani

At the sketchy border of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio is Radicofani (ra-dee-CO-fa-nee). It's sharp hill and square block tower are visible from the surrounding area for miles. The distinctive fortress that stands on the crest looks out over the Val d'Orcia and takes in amazing views of the entire border region.

Built in the 900s, the fortress has defined the town and this part of the Val d'Orcia for centuries. It was a defensive look out for this very strategic position during the power struggles between Siena, Grosseto, Perugia, and Viterbo. It also served as a hunting lodge for Ferdinando I. You can climb the steps to the summit of the tower to enjoy the commanding panoramas.

The town itself stretches out along the hillside below the fortress. It's a tidy, well-kept medieval village decorated with flower pots and mixed colored stones. The Romanesque church of St. Peter was built in the 1300s and has Gothic arches and terracotta decorations by Della Robbia. The church of the town's patron saint, Saint Agatha, displays a splendid altarpiece by the same master of painted dimensional ceramic. The old postal building, Edificio della Posta, dates from the 1600s and has an interesting facade with a double loggia.

Radicofani is at the southern part of the Val d'Orcia, near Montepulciano, Castiglione d'Orcia, San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. There are a slew of wonderful wineries nearby in Montepulciano and Cetona.