Montepulciano | San Biago | The surroundings of Podere Santa Pia, a holiday house in the south of Tuscany

Montepulciano

Montepulciano is in a near-idyllic location in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, between Pienza and Chiusi, and within an hour. It is built on a ridge of Monte Poliziano. According to ancient legend Montepulciano was supposedly founded according to the will of the Etruscan king, Lars Porsenna, who is said to have left Chiusi to settle on the hill of Mons Mercurius, with the other inhabitants of Chiusi who later changed the name to Mont Politicus.
The town centre ramparts encircle the historic heart of the town. The Renaissance-style palaces (Avignonesi, Communal, etc.) draw the eye along the streets surrounding the charming main square Piazza Grande. The Corso, a long, winding street climbs up into the main square, which crowns the summit of the hill. The cathedral was built in 1619. The façades of the church of Saint Agostino and of the Oratorio della Misericordia are worth seeing. Notable among the civic buildings are the Tarugi palace, like the Mercato, a work of Pignola, the Contucci palace designed by Sangallo and the fourteenth-century Palazzo Municipale, which contains a small gallery of Sienese and of Umbrian art.
Montepulciano is encircled by walls and fortifications designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder in 1511 for Cosimo I. The castle of Montepulciano was first mentioned as a fortified centre in a document of 715.
Below the town, the Madonna di San Biaggio monument is a sight not to be missed.

Palazzo Bucelli (Corso, 73). The lower façade of the palazzo (1648) is studded with ancient Etruscan reliefs and funerary urns collected by its 18th-century antiquarian owner, Pietro Bucelli.

Sant'Agostino (Piazza Michelozzo). Michelozzo built the church in 1427, with an elaborate carved portal featuring the Virgin and child flanked by St. John and St. Augustine.

Palazzo Comunale (Piazza Grande, 1). Designed by Michelozzo in the tradition of the Palazzo della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio) of Florence. In the 15th century, Michelozzo added a tower and façade to the original Gothic town hall. On a clean day, the views that can be seen from the tower are superb.

Palazzo Tarugi (Piazza Grande). The imposing 16th-century palazzo, attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the Elder or Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, is next to the town hall. It is built entirely in travertine,

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, or the Duomo of Montepulciano (Piazza Grande). The Duomo was designed between 1592 and 1630 by Ippolito Scalza. The façade is unfinished and plain, but the interior is classical in proportions. It is the setting for an earlier masterpiece from the Siena School, the Assumption of the Virgin triptych painted by Taddeo di Bartolo in 1401.

The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (late 16th century). It has a simple Mannerist façade with a three-arcade portico. The interior has a single nave, and houses a precious terracotta altar by Andrea della Robbia.

The Chiesa di Sant'Agnese, with its beelike banding around the façade, lies just outside the city walls, in front of the Porta al Prato, the north entrance to the town. The original church was built in the early 14th century but this version was the result of a remake by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio in 1511. The Chiesa di Sant'Agnese warrants a quick look for its Simone Martini frescoed Madonna (in the first chapel on the right.)

In 1358, ever the enemy of Siena, Montepulciano formed an alliance with Perugia and defeated the Siennese army. After many vicissitudes, in 1511 Montepulciano fell definitively to Florence. When Montalcino, Radicofani, Buonconvento and Pienza were on the point of defending Siena's freedom against the Medicis' domination, Montepulciano was named by Cosmo I Medici a "noble town". Montepulciano could not tolerate Siena's domination because it felt at the same level as Siena in terms of culture, power and civilization.
Montepulciano was the birthplace of Angelo Ambrogini, known as Poliziano, a great poet of the Medici court during the Renaissance.
Montepulciano is chiefly known for its good local Vino Nobile wines. There is even a vino nobile named La Braccesca, Vigneto Santa Pia.

Comune

Europäische Akademie für Musik und Darstellende Künste Montepulciano Palazzo Ricci

Events

In July-August there is Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte , an arts festival created by the German composer Hans Werner Henze. In August there are two festivals: the Bruscello takes place on the 14th, 15th and 16th, when hordes of actors reenact scenes from the town's turbulent history.

For the Bravio delle Botti, on the last Sunday in August, there is a parade through the streets followed by a barrel race and a banquet to end the day.

Calici di stelle (10 August) is the main summer event in Montepulciano. The Strada del Vino Nobile offers an enogastronomic tour in the various Quarters of Montepulciano with wine tastings and a typical dinner under the guidance of expert Sommeliers and never the less various entertainments and music shows.

The Italian scenes for the cult film New Moon, were filmed in Montepulciano. The release of the film, by the director Chris Weitz is forecast for the 20th November, 2009.
Pietra Detassis editor-in-chief of the monthly 'Ciak' has confirmed this on her blog:
"'At lunch in Los Angeles with one of the producers of Summit Entertainment, responsible for 'Twilight' and now 'New Moon', the sequel of the saga taken from the books by Stephenie Meyer, explodes this bombshell: Despite the announcements, anticipation and generous offers from every kind of Mayor and Municipality, the vampiresque sequel will not be shot in the romantic places of Volterra, but in Montepulciano where the troupe has found 'the most beautiful place to film'...
In the cast will be present the actors of the first film 'Twilight' Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Jacob Black and the new entry Dakota Fanning.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Montepulciano's history has always been closely linked to the fame of its vines and wine. Wine has been a part of Montepulciano's history since its earliest origins, as is demonstrated by the kylix (wine cup) with red figures made in Chiusi and discovered in 1868, along with numerous bronze objects, in an Etruscan tomb near the Tuscan town. Francesco Redi, renowned doctor and naturalist and a poet, thoroughly praised the wine in his dithyrambic ode Bacchus in Tuscany (1685) in which Bacchus and Ariadne extol the finest Tuscan wines. The poem ends: Montepulciano is the king of all wines!
The production zone for "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" lies within the municipal area of Montepulciano except for the lower part of Val di Chiana.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | Member companies of the DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Taddeo di Bartolo, Assumption of the Virgin, Duomo

Montepulciano | Palazzo Communale

Built of honey - and cream - colored travertine, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio is Sangallo's masterpiece. It is a typical 16th century Tuscan edifice, designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger on a pre-existing Pieve, between 1518 and 1545.It has a circular (central) plan with a large dome over a terrace and a squared tambour. The exterior, with two bell towers, is built in white travertine.

Montepulciano, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio, on the road to Chianciano, just outside the city.

Considered to be Antonio da Sangallo the Elder's masterpiece and one of the most significant structures of the Renaissance, San Biagio occupied the acclaimed Renaissance architect from 1518 until his death in 1534, and although it maintains a low profile among guidebook tourists, it's an absolute must-see. San Biago is a compact structure of cream and honey colored stone, expertly formed, and although it is hardly the biggest church you'll see in Italy, it gives off a sense of quiet majesty and imposing mass far beyond its actual physical size.

Villa La Foce, near Montepulciano, is a re-created renaissance style garden designed by Cecil Pinsent between 1927 and 1939 for Iris Origo, a writer and horticulturalist. Pinsent worked from 1927 onwards at La Foce, developing a romantic garden around a villa that had originally been a pilgrim hospice on the via Francigena. Here, his client was Iris Origo, who had grown up at the Villa Medici in Fiesole. Villa La Foce is the main house on the property, consisting today of almost 1200 acres of farmland several farmhouses. It was originally built at the end of the 15th century as a wayside tavern, but soon became the center of an estate belonging to the great Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena. In 1924 it was purchased by Antonio and Iris Origo, and turned it into their comfortable home, from where they farmed and developed the land.[read more] From the point of view of a nature lover the most interesting part of the district is the Oasi (Protected Natural Area) located around the banks of the lake of Montepulciano.			Villa La Foce, il Castello
Villa La Vagnola
This villa was built, from 1750 onwards by the Cetona-born nobleman Sallustio Terrosi, on the occasion of his marriage to Maria Antonietta Vagnoli. The site, formerly occupied by a collection of 17th-century hovels, was completely cleared and transformed by large-scale earthworks that created a much more even piece of land to build on. The park, on the other hand, is a 15-hectare hill bordered by a wall of cypress threes, and includes a ragnaia, or hunting wood, with holm-oaks and other perennials, a garden in the area adjoining the building, olive groves and kitchen gardens. Underground is a whole system of artificial tunnels, many of them with stalactites and stalagmites, and blocks of travertine hewn from the Mt. Cetona's many caves. The park is also full of other structures created by Sallustio and his descendants, inculding an Etruscan tomb dating back to the 7th century BC, reconstructed after being brought here from its original location; a two-hundred-seat stone theatre, with hedges for the stage backdrop and wings; bird-snaring nets; and the so-called casina turca, or Turkish house, completely frescoed in the fashionable style of the day.
Riserva naturale Lago di Montepulciano. The reserve, which is run by the LIPU, takes in a humid zone of 470 hectares of which a third is the actual lake and the rest the surface is covered by a typical swamp vegetation. This is one of the last great swamps in Tuscany and as such generates much naturalistic interest in the migratory passing, the wintering and nesting of many species of birds, some of which are rare and threatened. Visiting the oasis you can hike along a round track (800 mts. long) with three bird-watching huts and a number of simpler watching places. In addition, you can explore by boat the restricted area, the Canale Maestro della Chiana (the Main Channel of the Valdichiana District) and the whole lake. The Canale Maestro della Chiana flows through the Oasi, then flows into the Montepulciano lake. A great number of bird species can be seen in the lake, both migratory and nesting birds .
Walking and trekking in Tuscany \| Walking in the Val d'Orcia
	Riserva Naturale Lago di Montepulciano		Lago di Montepulciano
		The reserve, which is run by the LIPU, takes in a humid zone of 470 hectares of which a third is the actual lake and the rest the surface is covered by a typical swamp vegetation. This is one of the last great swamps in Tuscany and as such generates much naturalistic interest in the migratory passing, the wintering and nesting of many species of birds, some of which are rare and threatened. Three walks (It)	Lago di Montepulciano
	From Chiusi to the Lake of Montepulciano (cycling trail)
		You begin cycling from the Chiusi railway station, easily reaching the path’s start point. The route begins right where the embankment lies, built following the 1780 settlement between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal State. The embankment marks the boundary between the Tuscan area of Chiana that descends towards the Arno River and the Roman Chiana area that leads towards the River Tevere. Nearby, towards the south, stands the impressive ‘Callone Pontificio’ (also named the ‘Campo alla Volta’) that used to regulate the entrance of the waters of the Chiusi lake flowing towards the River Tevere, before the embankment was built. Having passed the hill of Chiusi, you soon reach the Torri (Towers) of Beccati Questo and Beccati Quello (or “Quest’altro”). The first one was built in 1427 by the Sienese in order to protect themselves from the expansionist aims of the inhabitants of Perugia, who immediately after, built the second tower. What is absolutely true is that even nowadays, these towers mark the boundary between Tuscany and Umbria and they both give the impression of defending their each and own lands. The first part of the journey takes you through valuable and important naturalistic environments, cycling in the heart of the green areas around the Lake of Chiusi and, immediately following, the Lake of Montepulciano, perfect places for delightful stopovers. These lakes are the ‘memory’ of the ancient marshes. The Lake of Chiusi is also where the legendary flight of Santa Mustiola took place: pursued and imprisoned by the emperor, she succeeded in reaching the lake by making a sort of boat out of her cloak that enabled her to float across the water. The legend goes on to say that every 3rd of July, at night, you can see Santa Mustiola’s golden wake in the water. The lakes called the ‘Chiari’ of Chiusi and Montepulciano are much-loved destinations for many, from nature enthusiasts to bird watchers. Welcome to the world of herons, ducks, little egrets and little bitterns. Along this part of the path, you enter the silent lake’s peaceful atmosphere, winding along the luxuriant, humid areas among poplars and willows. Near the Lake of Montepulciano, the point of reference for nature lovers and bird life is the LIPU (Association for the Protection of Birds) Oasis that offers its visitors huts and platforms for bird watching as well as the chance to go for a boat ride over the lake.

	From Montepulciano to Pienza \| 11 km, 3 hours (Dutch)		Pienza
		A gentle up & downhill walk from the magnificent town Montepulciano to the perfect place Pienza along the beautiful scenery of Toscany. The walk starts at the Piazza Grande, next to the Duomo. Map	Pienza
	From the Madonna di San Biagio to the Madonna delle Querce
		This route starts from the Madonna di San Biagio (near Montepulciano), one of the many places of worship that are located nearby. Considered one of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, this church was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder and built in travertine. Inside, one can find stuccos and Baroque frescoes. The high altar was created in 1584; it was a great marble altar with four statues of saints, carried out by Ottaviano Lazzerini. Above the altar, one can appreciate a stained glass window depicting a Madonna and Saints by Michelangelo da Cortona. The temple’s origin is linked to a miracle that happened on April 23, 1518. Two women and a shepherd passed in front of a fresco depicting Saint Francis and the Madonna and Child and they saw the eyes of the Virgin move as if she were alive. From here, we can cross the vineyards and arrive at the Madonna della Quercia. The sanctuary of the Madonna of Querce is located outside the village’s walls, near the Medici Fortress. This place of worship and veneration for Our Lady of Sorrows, experienced a period of decline in the 1700s. Nevertheless, up to the early post-war period the well water was well-known as the ‘Font of Milk’. Animals were made to drink at the well inside the church and women drank from it to produce high-quality breast-milk and in hopes of being cured of sterility.


Maps: Multigraphic Val d'Orcia, Kompass nr. 662 Lago trasimeno and Kompass nr. 653 Pienza-Montalcino-Monte Amiata.

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