FARM HOLIDAYS

The old town centre of Montepulciano runs along the crest of a hill. The town is surrounded by a city wall designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio in 1500. Montepulciano is principally known for the majesty of its Renaissance palazzos, for the elegant beauty of its churches and for the internationally acclaimed Vino Nobile, one of the most highly valued Tuscan wines. The town centre follows the crest of the hill up to the central square, the Piazza Grande, at the top.
Montepulciano is host to numerous events: in July and August there is the Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte, an arts festival created by the German composer Hans Werner Henze. In August there are another two events that bring the town to life: the Bruscello, on 14, 15 and 16 August, when actors play out scenes from the town’s history, and the Bravio delle Botti, which takes place on the last Sunday of August, when the different quarters of the town challenge each other to a barrel race, pushing enormous barrels up through the steep winding streets of the town.
The principal monuments are:
The Tempio di San Biagio
This beautiful temple is situated to the south, beneath the city walls. It is built in pearl white travertine stone. This gem of the Renaissance was designed by Antonio da Sangallo. Work began in 1518, and continued until his death in 1534.
Palazzo Bucelli
The eighteenth century antiquarian owner, Pietro Bucelli, studded the lower part of this 1648 palazzo’s façade with Etruscan funerary urns and reliefs from his collection.
Sant’Agostino
Michelozzo built the church in 1427, with an elaborate sculpted portal depicting the Virgin and Child flanked by Saint John and Saint Augustine.
Palazzo Comunale
In the fifteenth century Michelozzo added the tower and the façade to the original gothic town hall. The building is now a smaller version of the Palazzo Vecchio. On clear days, the panoramic view from the tower is breathtaking.
Palazzo Tarugi
This majestic sixteenth century palazzo is situated next to the town hall and is one of the most beautiful examples of the civil architecture of the time.
Duomo
The cathedral was built between 1592 and 1630 by Ippolito Scalsa. The unfinished façade was originally intended to be clad in marble; the interior is classical in its proportions and was designed to accommodate a triptych from the Siena school, “The Assumption of the Virgin”, painted by Taddeo di Bartolo in 1401, now placed above the central altar. On the sides there are two beautiful sculptures by Michelozzo that were originally part of the Aragazzi Sepulchre.

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