In the west of the Val d’Orcia, Montalcino is a Tuscan town famous for its Brunello, its excellent wine appreciated all over the world, made since the 19th century in the whole world from the Sangiovese grape variety. Built on a hill surrounded by vineyards and woods, it is also a beautiful medieval town rich in art and history, with many tourist structures, offering many wineries in the village and its surroundings.
This medieval fortified town has changed little since the 16th century, with its charming alleys, sometimes long, narrow and steep, its stairs, the communal palace with its tower, its churches and museums.
At the top, from the ancient fortress opens a beautiful panorama, leading on one side towards the hills of Siena, on the other towards the sea and the Maremma.
Piazza del Popolo and Palazzo Comunale
The superb central square of Montalcino is the Piazza del Popolo, where the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) also called Prior’s Palace (Palazzo dei Priori in Italian), built in the 13th century. On its facade we see the many carved coats of arms of the podestà who governed the city. It is flanked by a high bell tower, called “Campanone”.
Museums of Montalcino
The Museo Civico e Diocesano is a double museum, combining in the same place the municipal museum and the diocesan museum of sacred art, with 12 rooms on 3 floors, in a part of the former convent of Saint-Augustin. It holds a rich collection of paintings and wood carvings from the Sienese school, including a crucifix by Giambologna, the Madonna by Simone Martini, the Coronation of the Virgin by Bartolo di Fredi or a Majesty by Vecchietta. They also preserve sculptures, majolicas, siding, etc.
The archaeological section has been used since the Bronze Age by the Etruscans and the Romans.
Cathedral of Montalcino
The Cathedral of Montalcino is a neoclassical construction from the 19th century, with the bell tower being older. The interior preserves the Immaculate Conception with Jesus and God the Father by Francesco Vanni from 1588.
Churches of Montalcino
The religious buildings are interesting, with San Agostino from the 14th century, the neoclassical cathedral, the sanctuary della Madona del Soccorso and Sant’Egidio.
Saint Augustine Church
This vast Gothic church dates back to the 14th century, and is part of the monastic complex that now houses the museum, including two cloisters from the 16th century.
The walls were decorated by Sienese artists of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, with scenes from the Passion of Christ and stories from the life of Anthony the Great (Antonio Abate). The 14th-century choir frescoes with stories of St. Augustine, evangelists and doctors of the church are attributed to Bartolo di Fredi.
Madonna del Soccorso
The church Madonna del Soccorso, which dates back to the 12th century, replaced a medieval church. It was considerably modified from the end of the 15th to the beginning of the 17th century, with a travertine façade from the early 19th century. The interior features beautiful baroque altars and works by Sienese painters.
Church of Sant’Egidio
The church of Sant’Egidio in Montalcino was built in 1325 and was the official church of the Republic of Siena in Montalcino. Behind a simple Romanesque facade, the single nave preserves a pious Christ and Saints of the mid-16th century, or on the wall of the chancel, a late 14th century fresco.
Fortress of Montalcino
The fortress of Montalcino dates back to the mid-14th century, with a pentagonal shape and incorporating earlier buildings, including an old basilica converted into a chapel of Roman origin.
From the walls, the view looks out over the city and the hills. This 14th century building was the last bastion of the Republic of Siena to fall against the conquest of the Medici family in Florence.
Gallery
Proposals for guided tours and activities
Where is Montalcino, map
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Links and sources
- General informations: en.wikipedia.org
- Tourist portals: www.visittuscany.com
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