La quercia delle checche

Less than 30 minutes from the agritourism, you cannot fail to visit the Quercia delle Checche.

This splendid green monument is located in the municipality of Pienza, in the heart of the beautiful Val d'Orcia. This majestic tree, which attracts tourists and photographers from all over, is at least 370 years old. With its 22 metres in height and a trunk with a perimeter of 4.5 metres, during the summer its thick foliage can extend to a diameter of 34 metres. An ideal refuge for many species of birds.

Curiosity and origin of the name

The ‘checche’ are magpies, who use the branches of this majestic oak to perch and consume acorns. It is no coincidence that the locality where the tree is located also bears the same name.

An ancient legend, however, tells another story: the queens are said to have been witch-women who gathered under the great oak tree to perform their magic rituals.

This tree has spanned the centuries, becoming a witness to historical events. The last of these dates back to World War II, when the oak was used as an ammunition shelter for partisans.

On 15 August 2014, the Quercia delle Checche suffered a serious act of vandalism, losing one of its most imposing branches, amounting to a third of its volume, due to an ill-advised tree climbing session. From that moment, a long bureaucratic process for its protection began. In less than three years, the Ministry of Culture recognised it as a protected property, classifying it as a monumental tree of special public interest. In June 2017, it became Italy's first Green Monument.

How to get there

To admire this natural wonder, you have to reach the Val d'Orcia, between Bagno Vignoni and Monticchiello.

It is only 25 km from our agriturismo: head towards Chianciano Terme and, at the junction for Pienza, turn left. Continue along this road until it becomes SP 53 and you have arrived!