Located approximately 38 km from Siena between the Ombrone, Orcia, and Asso valleys, Montalcino is a small agricultural center that for years has been visited by considerable numbers of tourists, both for its attractive atmosphere and its famous food-and-wine resources: its lovely land is, in fact, predominately covered with vineyards, which rigorously alternate with woods and olive groves. Home to the glorious D.O.C.G. red wine, “Brunello di Montalcino”, and it is unquestionably the capital of Italian wine growing. Notwithstanding its origins probably date back to the Etruscan era; Montalcino was, in fact, at maximum splendor during medieval times, arriving at bearing the title of “libero comune” (free commune). Nevertheless, already by the 13th century the fortune of the town declined because it came to find itself in relentless disputes between Florence and Siena and then became a satellite of Siena in 1260. Then, in the 1500’s, Montalcino underwent a serious crisis; it became the last extreme bastion and desperate defense of the Sienese Republic, and it was first besieged by pontiff troupes and imperial troupes and then Medici entering soon after to become part of the Florentine Duchy.
The most important monument of Montalcino dates back to the medieval period: the Palazzo Comunale (or Palazzo dei Priori), whose tall and scenic clock tower dominates the picturesque Piazza del Popolo, was constructed in the 13th-14th century; it has a stone façade decorated with various coats of arms and by a beautiful porch with Gothic rounded arches. The building is the headquarters of the Brunello Society and of a permanent wine exhibition. In the same widening there is a beautiful 15th century loggia (called the “Cappellone”), the neoclassical Cathedral (inside valuable sculptures of the Battistero Chapel) and a single caffetteria in liberty-style, which preserves the original furnishings from the end of the 1800’s.
The visit continues along Via Ricasoli (near a large parking lot), with the Seminary from the 16th century, which is home to the interesting Civic and Diocesan Museum, where numerous works of art are displayed, among which are a Madonna by Beccafumi, a 13th century cross from Sant’Antimo, a Crucifix of Sodomia, and various paintings by Bartolo di Fredi, Sano di Pietro, and others; you can also admire the Etruscan remains returned to the zone. Near the museum rise the Romanesque Church of Sant’ Egidio and the 14th century Church of Sant’Agostino, which preserve contemporary frescoes narrating episodes in the lives of the Saint: facing the annexed Augustinian convent is then the Palazzo Pieri-Nerli (16th century), rare example of architecture from the 1500’s in Montalcino. Worth noting is also the Theater of the Academy of the Astrusi, located in a pretty little piazza that you reach going along Via Bandi, and the Church of San Francesco with its quadrangular tower.
