Set between Val di Chiana and Val d’ Orcia, surrounded by a cheerful and colourful patchwork of green meadows and cultivated fields, pine, holm-oak and chestnut woods, olive trees and above all vines, Montepulciano is a kind of open-air museum with an invaluable heritage of palaces, churches and historical wine cellars, also authentic architectural gems.

The first who noticed the beauty of these places, in the distant IV century BC, were the Etruscans, who founded the city and left some precious testimonies of their passage, even if Montepulciano is defined as “the pearl of the sixteenth century”, thanks to the numerous works left behind by important artists and architects of the Renaissance, such as Antonio da Sangallo, Vignola, Ippolito Scalza, Michelozzo. Particularly noteworthy is the Palazzo dei Priori, a building with unusual similarities with the Florentine Palazzo Vecchio, the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo with the Grifi and Leoni well, the Logge del Grano, Palazzo Avignonesi, attributed to Vignola, Palazzo Tarugi-Bernabei, Palazzo Gagnoni, Palazzo Cervini, Palazzo Contucci, Palazzo Cocconi-Paolini, Piazza Grande and Palazzo Tarugi. Worthy of note are also the fourteenth-century Palazzo Neri-Orselli, seat of the Civic Museum, Palazzo Benincasa and Palazzo Bucelli. Among the religious buildings, the Duomo, begun in 1594 on a project by Ippolito Scalza, contains works by Sano di Pietro, the schools of Andrea del Sarto and Andrea Della Robbia. Surely of interest also San Francesco and Sant’ Agostino, with the marble façade revisited by Michelozzo, the Church of Jesus, the Church of San Bernardo, designed by Andrea Pozzo, and Sant’ Agnese, of fourteenth-century plant. Masterpiece of Andrea da Sangallo is the Madonna di San Biagio, isolated from the urban centre, with a central plan, with the high dome and a Renaissance bell tower of great originality. A visit to the wine cellars is compulsory: from Vino Nobile, one of the most famous Tuscan red wines, to Rosso DOC of Montepulciano, up to Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, there is no shortage of emotions to experience. In addition to wine, another precious product is oil, in fact the city is part of the association Città dell’ Olio. In Sant’ Albino, a hamlet just outside the city, you will find the famous Terme di Montepulciano, with a wide range of natural treatments. The thermal spring waters have a particular chemical-physical composition, and are particularly indicated for the treatment of respiratory diseases, for otorhinolaryngatory treatments, as well as for dermatitis healing, for vascular problems or for those who are simply looking for physical and spiritual wellbeing. Exciting and fun are also the village festivals that take place every year between the streets of the ancient village. Typical events include Bravio delle Botti, which is held on the last Sunday of August and has very ancient origins, dating back to the 14th century. This is a challenge between the 8 districts of the country, originally held on horseback and subsequently modified for security reasons. Finally, Lake Montepulciano is also worth a visit.

USEFUL INFO

Official website of the city

For general information visit the site:

www.comune.montepulciano.siena.it

www.montepulciano.com

www.prolocomontepulciano.it

Tourist Information Office

Associazione Pro Loco Montepulciano

Piazza Don Minzoni, 1 – Montepulciano

Tel. e Fax +39 0578 757341

www.prolocomontepulciano.it

Useful Numbers

Carabinieri                                       112

Police                                          113

Fire Department                              115

Healthcare Emergency                    118

Travel Informed (CCISS)                 1518

Climate

The area of Montepulciano enjoys a particular climate, which allows the grapes to mature with such surprising results. The winters are cold but not very cold, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 2°C to a maximum of 9°C, while the summers, warm but pleasant, reach an average minimum of 18°C and a maximum of 30°C. The months of July and August are practically free from rainfall, which is more prevalent in spring and autumn.

Nearby

Chianciano Terme Km. 10

Torrita di Siena Km. 11

Pienza Km. 14

Sinalunga Km. 18

Chiusi Km. 22

San Quirico d’Orcia Km. 23

Siena Km. 65