The city in the province of Siena is famous for its Renaissance past and for its food and wine tradition
Breathtaking landscapes, food and wine specialties, art and a pinch of internationality.
Montepulciano, is a city in the province of Siena nestled between the Valdichiana and the Val d'Orcia. One of the most popular Tuscan locations for tourists but also for movie stars. Yes, because this town with a Renaissance past was the set of The Twilight Saga-New Moon and the fictional Medici. The latter was inspired by the noble Florentine family, which also sees Dustin Hoffman among the performers.
It seems that, between one take and the next, the Hollywood star was conquered by the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg, an excellence to which the town owes much of its fame.
The itineraries of love
Not far from Montepulciano, still in Val d'Orcia, there is think, village of the Sienese whose historical center, for the harmony that characterizes it, has been declared a Unesco heritage since 1996.
Are you incurable romantics? Then you can't help but go through a couple of alleys with unequivocal names: Street of the Kiss e Via dell'Amore, immortalizing the break with an inevitable couple self-timer.
For those with a sweet tooth, on the other hand, you cannot miss a must in the many gastronomic shops, to taste specialties such as pecorino di Pienza, combined with excellent jams.
On the way to red
Consortium created to enhance the excellence of southern Tuscany, the road of Nobile di Montepulciano wine and the flavors of the Valdichiana Senese winds through various municipalities. Cetona, Chianciano Terme, Chiusi, San Casciano dei Bagni and Sinalunga.
Organize various thematic tours to discover the typical products of these parts. First of all the Vino Nobile, a red wine with a Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin, renowned throughout the world. Of ancient tradition it is the result of a blend of grapes.
Montepulciano: the city gates
It leads to the Prato it is one of the two gates of the city of Montepulciano through which the city is accessed. It leads directly onto the street from where the streets of the historic center branch off, which has its heart in Piazza Grande. Here the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Palazzo Comunale with the façade created by Michelozzo stand out. Palazzo Contucci, an interesting stop for wine lovers who intend to indulge in a tasting in its cellars. The Well of the Grifi and the Lions, the work of the architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder.
The other Porta di Montepulciano is Porta delle Farine.
Other symbolic monuments of Montepulciano are the Clock Tower in Piazza Michelozzo, surmounted by a figure of Pulcinella. It is said that it was placed by a Neapolitan bishop and the house of the great humanist Poliziano in the homonymous street.
Furthermore, Montepulciano is a spa destination appreciated since ancient Roman times for the properties of its waters. To take advantage of their benefits, just go to the famous thermal baths.
