Chiesa della Madonna di Vitaleta, Renaissance chapel in San Quirico d'Orcia, Italy.
The Chiesa della Madonna di Vitaleta is a small chapel sitting on a hilltop between San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza, built with stone from Rapolano and featuring a small rose window. The simple building displays Renaissance design with clean lines typical of that period's style.
The chapel dates to 1590, but underwent significant reconstruction in 1884 under architect Giuseppe Partini. Partini's redesign followed the architectural principles of the 16th century, preserving its historical character.
The chapel once housed a Madonna statue created by Andrea della Robbia, purchased from a Florence workshop in 1553 and now preserved at the parish church in San Quirico d'Orcia. This artwork reflects the religious devotion that made this isolated location meaningful to the local community.
To reach the chapel, drive along Provincial Road 146 and then walk about one kilometer on an unpaved path through open fields. There is no public transportation to this location, so you will need private transport to get there.
Two rows of cypress trees flank the chapel against the UNESCO-protected Val d'Orcia landscape. These tree-lined paths have been maintained for generations and create one of Tuscany's most recognizable rural images.
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