Vivo D'orcia: Discover the Eremo, Waterways and Ancient Forests

Architecture between the Eremo and Palazzo Cervini

The Eremo was built on the ruins of a Camaldolese monastery founded by San Romualdo. Palazzo Cervini connects the history of the town with Florence: the building was redesigned based on a plan by the Florentine architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Palazzo Cervini is accessed via a stone bridge beneath which the Torrente Vivo flows.

Ermicciolo and Traces of Traditional Crafts

Near the springs along the path lies the small Oratory of San Benedetto, known as the Ermicciolo. The Church of the Ermicciolo has simple Romanesque architecture, a single nave and a semicircular apse. A few steps away are the facilities of old chestnut dryers.

Forests and Ancient Trees along the Torrente Vivo

On the edge of the town center of Vivo d’Orcia, a forest area with silver firs (Abies alba) lies along the Torrente Vivo; it is one of the few remaining autochthonous stands of this species in Tuscany. The Faggeta a Vivo d’Orcia is home to numerous centuries-old trees. The “Faggione” stands alone as a tree more than one hundred years old beside the road from Vivo to the Rifugio di Capo Vetra and therefore differs from the two forest areas.

Exhibition at the Museo dell’Acqua and Competition

At the Museo dell’Acqua, the exhibition ranges from photographs and projections to multimedia panels and exhibits. It also includes materials used to maintain the aqueduct. The Palio del Boscaiolo is a skill-based competition inspired by the traditional profession of the woodcutter. It takes place in the medieval Borgo dell’Eremo.

Walking Routes through the Water Landscape of the Parco del Vivo

The Anello dell’Ermicciolo e Capovetra is a walking route of approximately 10 kilometers in the Parco del Vivo. It can begin in the Borgo of Vivo d’Orcia or at a designated parking area on the road to Seggiano, about one kilometer from the town center. Sufficient time should be allowed for the approximately ten-kilometer Anello walk.

The Anello dell’Ermicciolo e Capovetra includes the ruins of an old water-powered sawmill and the water channels of the “Gorina.” Along the Anello, the ruins and channels are part of the historic use of water. A small waterfall flows into the Laghetto dello Scodellino. The Sentiero dell’acqua, on the other hand, begins in the center of Vivo d’Orcia and leads toward Ermicciolo. Along this route are traces of historic water-powered sawmills, ironworks and mills.

Water Spring and Gallery at the Ermicciolo

One of the two springs of Monte Amiata is located in the Parco dell’Ermicciolo in Vivo d’Orcia. The square provides access to a gallery measuring slightly more than 80 meters in length. There, visitors can come into direct contact with the water emerging from the rock.

More destinations: Bagni San Filippo and Campiglia D'orcia.

To the main travel overview: Castiglione D'orcia.