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Prize awarded to Agriturismo Ardene
by Venere.com
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The farmhouse Ardene gives its guests the possibility to discover Montepulciano thanks to a guided tour.
You can also do walking and bike tours in the surrounding areas.
The old town centre is a 30 minutes walk or you can drive up top the town and leave the car in one
of the several parking places.
Montepulciano -also well-known all over the world as The Pearl of the 16th Century- is a jewel
of the Renaissance period. Because of its strategic position overlooking the valley below,
it was disputed already in the middle ages by more powerful cities such as Siena, Firenze,
Perugia, Orvieto and between the 15th and 16th century it was the Florentine stronghold
during the long and victorious war against Siena. In 1561 with the Pope Pius IV, Montepulciano
became the bishop’s see and as a consequence assumed the title of city.
Our tour starts from the Church-Convent of Saint Agnes outside the city walls.
The interior is quite rich in art and there are some frescos attributed to the Sienese School.
Behind the high altar, there is a monument which contains the remains of St. Agnes from Montepulciano.
Walking throughout the Poggiofanti Garden it is possible to enjoy the fortified complex made up of
high walls, and large towers wanted by Cosimo I dei Medici.
Beyond Porta al Prato, one of the gateways to the town built by Antonio da Sangallo The Elder,
we are on the main street of the old city called Il Corso. Not far away from here The Marzocco
Column stands right in the middle of a small open space in front of the severe and noble Palazzo
Avignonesi attributed to Vignola.
Following the main street it is a real pleasure to admire the most important Renaissance and religious
buildings such as the baroque Church of S. Bernardo with a glazed masterpiece by Andrea della Robbia,
Palazzo Batignani, Palazzo Tarugi, and Palazzo Cecconi built by Antonio da Sangallo The Elder.
Another enchanting 16th century palace is Palazzo Buccelli: its lower wall is covered with bas-reliefs
of cinerary urns and Etruscan-Roman architectural fragments.
The beautiful Church of Sant’Agostino with its travertine façade dates back to the Renaissance period.
The Torre di Pulcinella which stands in front of the church is a tower with a bell that is struck by
a figure of Pulcinella mask.
After a steep part and after reaching Piazza delle Erbe and discovering Le Logge del
Mercato attributed to Vignola, there is the baroque Church of Santa Lucia which holds an
important work by Luca Signorelli. Still along Il Corso we can appreciate the severe building
Palazzo Cervini attributed to Antonio da Sangallo The Elder. It is the residence of the
Cardinal Marcello Cervini who became Pope Marcellus II in 1555. Also Palazzo Bracci with its
Caffè Poliziano in Art-Nouveau style, Palazzo Grugni and the Chiesa del Gesù built
in the 17th century by the Jesuit Andrea Pozzo, deserve a visit. At the end of Il Corso there
is Via del Poliziano with the birthplace of Angelo Ambrogini, the great man of letters and humanist,
called Il Poliziano (1454-1494). The fourteenth-century Church of Santa Maria dei Servi stands
at the far end of Via Poliziano. In the third altar of the left side, it is possible to admire
the portraying “Madonna and Child” painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna. Not far away, on the top
of the town, Castrum Politianum rises: in other words this is the Fortress, an ancient building
completely reconstructed in 1885.
Piazza Grande for its monumental complex is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the
world. Here around it we can enjoy the fourteenth century Town Hall and its fine façade projected
by Michelozzo, Palazzo del Capitano del popolo, the Well of the Griffins and Lions,
Palazzo Nobili-Tarugi attributed to Sangallo, Palazzo Contucci – an ancient palace built by
Antonio da Sangallo The Elder for the cardinal Antonio del Monte – and the Cathedral designed
by Ippolito Scalza between the end of 16th century and the beginning of 17th century. Inside,
the Cathedral is a building of great elegance and interest for the artworks which are to be
found there: the Triptych by Taddeo di Bartolo, the Funerary Monument to Bartolomeo Aragazzi
by Michelozzo and the Altare dei Gigli by Andrea della Robbia.
Palazzo Ricci with its large and marvellous underground wine-cellar is located on the street
of the same name and in the opposite side Palazzo Neri-Orselli, which is the home of the Civic
Museum, holds artworks by Andrea della Robbia, Margaritone d’Arezzo, Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio
and Giovanni Antonio Bazzi called Il Sodoma.
Proceeding and passing Palazzo Benincasa a little and panoramic square can be admired.
Here the old Church-Convent of San Francesco was built in the 13th century. It deserves a visit
especially for its stone pulpit from which St Bernardino is believed to have preached.
Our tour ends with the Temple of San Biagio isolated in the countryside. It is one of the most
important Renaissance buildings of Montepulciano and a masterpiece famous all over the world.
Its construction began in 1518 by Antonio da Sangallo The Elder.
Montepulciano |
Pienza |
Montalcino |
Siena |
Perugia |
Florence |
Pisa |
San Gimignano |
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 MONTEPULCIANO
“The pearl of the 16th century”, a place of beauty and goodness, an artistic jewel set on
a hill between the Orcia and the Chiana valley, whose green wave-like vineyards snuggle its
townscape so tightly that it seems to be floating on a cloud of pleasure.
Montepulciano, the centre of the Tuscan Renaissance (recalling the locally born poet Poliziano),
now heralds the second Tuscan Renaissance, based on culture rather than current trends.
The town has more than its fair share of beauty: from the San Biagio temple and the Town Hall
designed by Michelozzo, to the Palazzo Contucci , not forgetting the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo,
whose majestic architecture was designed by renowned Renaissance architect Sangallo.
A town whose churches hold artistic treasures.
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PIENZA
Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who took the name of Pius II as Pope, decided to transform
the village of Corsignano, where he was born, into papal court residence. Perhaps
a predictable project for a man who hoped to create the Ideal City, inspired by the new
humanistic philosophy.
The new Renaissance is clearly observed today in the Pius II Square where the Town Hall,
the Palazzo Piccolomini and the Cathedral face onto.
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MONTALCINO
Set between the Ombrone and the Orcia valley, famous worldwide for the excellent red wine “Brunello”.
The medieval fortress of the 14th century with its towers and walls dominates the whole village
and the valley. Worth a visit the recently restored S. Agostino’s church, the museum, the medieval
church of St. Francis with frescoes by Tamagni, and Town Hall and the outstanding Roman Abbey
of S.Antimo, founded by Charles Magne, still lived by Benedictins monks.
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SIENA
The city found its actual configuration in the Middle Age (11th century), when the increase
in the population caused the birth of a new settlement outside the ancient Roman walls.
Great masterpieces by Duccio di Boninsegna, Simone Martini, Lorenzetti, Pisano, are everywhere
along with Renaissance works by Bernini and Vanvitelli. A real attraction is the Piazza del Campo,
where twice a year is run the horse race named “Palio”.
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PERUGIA
Among the many artistic and historical jewels, the town has also become a well known music
centre with an excellent refined jazz festival taking place every summer.
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FLORENCE
One of the most beautiful cities all over the world. Birth place of artists such as Dante,
Machiavelli, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Botticelli and many others. It reached its top with the Medici
family in the 15th century. Every corner has something to see: museums, monuments, churches, squares,
bridges, fountains …
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PISA
The Arno river divides the city into two sections; the right one is the historical part,
with the Piazza dei Miracoli and the leaning tower, without missing one of the eldest Italian
Universities.
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SAN GIMIGNANO
The best kept medieval town all over Italy. 13 of the original 72 towers are still untouched,
and Renaissance paintings are exhibited in the many museums and galleries.
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