Montalcino, mediaeval village in the heart of the Brunello wine region in Southern Tuscany

Piazza del Popolo The main square of Montalcino is Piazza del Popolo, situated down the hill from the fortress and Duomo on the via Matteotti. The principal building on the piazza is the former Palazzo dei Priori or Palazzo Comunale (built late 13th, early 14th century), now town hall. The palace is adorned with the heraldic coats of arms of the Podesta, once rulers of the city. A tall medieval tower is incorporated into the palazzo and dominates the square. Opposite the Palazzo Comunale or town hall is a beautiful Renaissance-style building with six round arches, called La Loggia, for which construction began at the very end of the 14th century and finished in the early 15th, but which has undergone much restoration work over the subsequent centuries. On the other side of the square is a beautiful terrace. It belongs to Caffè Fiaschetteria Italiana, where locals and regular visitors meet each other in the morning while enjoying an espresso or cappuccino. The prices are terribly high.
Church Sant'Agostino
The church and adjacent convent were erected by the Augustinian order in 1227. The church was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1380. The archdiocese, the region and commune, and a private foundation (Sindaco Silvio Franceschelli) have been involved in the restoration of the interiors, which contain 14th and 15th-century frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ and Life of St Anthony Abbot attributed to Bartolo di Fredi or followers.[2 Achdiocese of Siena, article on restoration of the church.]
The Civic and Dioceses Museum (Museo Civico e Diocesano d’Arte Sacra) is housed in the adjacent convent of the church since ... The museum houses one of the most important collections of medieval art in the province of Siena, with work by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Sano di Pietro, Luca di Tommè, Bartolo di Fredi, Vincenzo Tamagni, Marco Pino (pupil of Beccafumi), Giovanni Pisano, Giovanni d'Agostino, Simone Martini and Francesco di Valdambrino. Highlight in the collection is Bartolo di Fredi's virtuoso and complex polyptych, L'incoronazione della Vergine (1388). The museum also displays a fine collection of painted wood sculptures, such as a small crucifix by Giovanni d'Agostino and a sublime Madonna by Domenico di Agostino. Museo Civico e Diocesano d’Arte Sacr (Musei Riuniti - Civico, Diocesano e Archeologico) Ex Seminario di S.Agostino, Via Ricasoli Tel. 0577/846014 - Fax: 0577/849321 Orari Orario da gennaio a marzo: dalle ore 10 alle 13 e dalle 14 alle 16. Orario da aprile a dicembre: dalle ore 10 alle ore 18. Closed on Monday. An experiential L'Oro di Montalcino trail and a shrine to Montalcino's important wine were installed within the monastery complex. The Temple of Brunello was meant as an exciting, immersive journey allowing visitors to discover Brunello di Montalcino. The Temple of Brunello di Montalcino is not a tribute to an extraordinary wine, but mostly a disregard for the authenticity and inestimable value of the Museum's collection. It is a demonstration of how a banal commercial spirit can corrupt and twist the soul of a cultural heritage into a caricature of its grandeur.		Chiesa di Sant'Agostino Crocifisso di Sant'Antimo, 1190 circa, tempera su tavola, Musei riuniti (Museo Civico e Diocesano d'Arte Sacra), Montalcino
Il Santuario di Santa Maria del Soccorsoi a Montalcino
The Madonna or Santa Maria del Soccorso Sanctuary is located at Via Spagni in Montalcino. The church was erected across the centuries and thus erected in multiple styles, including a renaissance layout, baroque interiors, and an impressive neoclassical facade. Behind the church you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the hills of the Val d'Orcia.
		Il Santuario di Santa Maria del Soccorso
Traditions and events \| Sagra del Tordo Among the local traditions we especially know the Sagra del Tordo (Festival of the Thrush), a folk festival and a grand archery competition held on the last Sunday of October among the four districts of Montalcino, Borghetto, Pianello, Ruga and Travaglio. Terraces Caffè Fiaschetteria Italiana, Piazza del Popolo, 6 Alle Logge di Piazza,Via Giacomo Matteotti, 1

Caffè Fiaschetteria Italiana 1888, Montalcino, an oenological and cultural meeting place for local producers [4]
Then let's not forget the gastronomic delights that made Tuscany famous across the world. Each region offers unique dishes based on its long history and location, and exploring the culture of Tuscan gastronomy should be part of your trip in Montalcino and the Val d’Orcia. Brunello di Montalcino According to Robert Louis Stevenson, wine is bottled poetry. This is what you experience in Montalcino.Together with Barolo and the Supertuscans, Brunello di Montalcino is today regarded as one of the greatest Italian wines. The wine is made from 100% Sangiovese grosso (formerly the grape was also called Brunello). Even though wine-growing has been practiced here for many centuries, the birth of the Brunello di Montalcino dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The real breakthrough came even in 1967 when winegrowers from Montalcino founded the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. In the same year, Brunello di Montalcino was the seventh wine to obtain the protected designation DOC in Italy. And in 1980 the wine was given the status of the DOCG quality mark. This stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, and is the highest quality standard for wine in Italy.

Brunello di Montalcino vineti e Monte Amiata	Brunello di Montalcino vineyards, Montalcino	Map of the Brunello di Montalcino region \| Member companies of the DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
Benvenuto Brunello di Montalcino Every year,Montalcino also hosts Benvenuto Brunello, an event reserved for the Italian and international press at which the new vintage of Brunello di Montalcino is presented. In 2023, Benvenuto Brunello was already in its thirty-second edition, and was held on 17, 18 and 19 November in the evocative rooms of IlChiostro of the Sant'Agostino Museum. The 118 participating wineries presented the 2019 Brunello, the 2018 Riserva, the 2022/21 Rosso di Montalcino, as well as the other two wines Moscadello and Sant'Antimo, to a select audience.
L'Oro di Montalcino Il Tempio del Brunello en Benvenuto Brunello di Montalcino
On the morning of Friday 9 July, the Temple of Brunello was opened. The project was part of the cultural project L’Oro di Montalcino at the monumental complex of the former convent of Sant’Agostino. The set-up of the Temple of Brunello was finalised by Opera Laboratori and ETT, for the multimedia part. The multimedia itinerary characterises the interiors of the complex and introduces, with suggestions and memories, the aspects that have made Brunello to one of the most famous wines in Italy. The reorganisation of the entire Sant'Agostino complex was in the hands of Opera Laboratori, 'We work on art for art, preserving, popularising, managing and adding value to cultural and museum heritage' [5]. The added value to the museum and the collection is nil. In the Tempio del Brunello, the constant temperature ensures optimal wine conservation. But the unique collection of medieval art is housed in rooms where mouldy walls, draughty windows and leaking roofs seem to provide less than ideal climatic conditions. A world of difference.

Tempio del Brunello, percorso Oro di montalcino (Complesso Sant'Agostino, Montalcino)	L'Enoteca Bistrot del Tempio del Brunello nel chiostro scoperto, Sant'Agostono, Montalcino	Benvenuto Brunello 2023, complesso Sant'Agostino, Montalcino
In the heart of the city, you can find some pleasant enoteca or wineries. The wine estates outside the city are also easy to visit and organize tastings and tours of the domain. It’s appropriate to make reservations for a tasting or a tour at most wineries, so contact them a few days in advance. A map on which all wine growers are well indicated can be found here. A nice selection from the more than 220 winegrowers can be found here.
Enoteca a Montalcino Enoteca Pierangioli Piazza del Popolo, 16 +39 0577 849113 Enoteca Bruno Dalmazio Via Traversa dei Monti, 214 +39 0577 849019 Enoteca Di Piazza WINE ROOM Of Fedolfi Andrea s.a.s. Via Giacomo Matteotti, 43 +39 0577 848104 Enoteca Grotta del Brunello Costa di Piazza Garibaldi, 3 +39 0577 847177 Fortezza di Montalcino Piazzale Fortezza, 9 +39 0577 849211 Restaurants in Montalcino There are good restaurants in Montalcino. The best restaurants are located outside the city in Sant'Angelo in Colle and Sant'Angelo Scalo, frazioni or boroughs of Montalcino. A good selection of restaurants can be found here. Our favorites are: Montalcino restaurants Locanda Demetra Locanda Demetra Address: Podere La Buca, 221, 53024 Montalcino Open : Van maandag tot zaterdag, 12.00 - 15.00 Phone: +39 0577 150 3199 Website: montalcinocookingschool.com Il Moro Il Moro Via Giuseppe Mazzini 44, 53024, Montalcino, Italy +39 0577 849384 Website: Facebook Il Moro Re di Macchia Classic Tuscan cuisine in the heart of Montalcino. Via Soccorso Saloni 21, Montalcino Tel: 0577-846116 email: redimacchia@tiscalinet.it Closed: Thursday Authentic Tuscan cuisine. Website facebook: www.facebook.com S.Angelo Scalo Restaurants Ristorante Il Leccio Ristorante Il Leccio \| www.trattoriailleccio.it S. Angelo in Colle, Via Costa Castellare Telefono 0577. 844 175 Trattoria Il Pozzo Trattoria Il Pozzo \|www.trattoriailpozzo.com S. Angelo in Colle, Piazza del Pozzo Telefono 0577 844015 Caffè Sant’Angelo Real Italian atmosphere, some of the best dishes of Tuscan and Roman cuisine. The best off track address. Osteria Caffè Sant’Angelo Via Grossetana, 8 \| Sant'Angelo Scalo, 53024, Montalcino. Tel. 340 8305269 (Pino) Caffè Sant’Angelo Camigliano Il Galletto Di Camigliano Il Galletto Di Camigliano di Lucentini Giorgio, Via Dell'arco 8 \| Camigliano, Montalcino Website \| +39 331 712 0292
The Abbey of Sant'Antimo

Abbey of Sant'Antimo, with its apses, bell tower, and cypress tree, Castelnuovo dell' Abate, Montalcino [2]
Walking in the Val d'Orcia and Montalcino I sentieri della Val d'Orcia \| Walking in the Val d'Orcia \| Itineraries gpx Montalcino Anello Abbey of Sant'Antimo \| 7,53 km Anello Montalcino - Abbey of Sant'Antimo \| 24,07 km Walking around Montalcino through the famous Brunello vineyards \| 8,61 km Walking from Montalcino to Sant'Antimo \| 10,92 km Walking from Montalcino to San Quirico d'Orcia \| 13,07 km Walking from Montalcino to Bagno Vignoni \| 20 km Walking from Sant'Antimo to Sant'Angelo in Colle \| 9,70 km Walking from Sant'Antimo to Sant'Angelo Scalo \| 12,50 km Walking from Montalcino to Sant'Angelo in Colle \| 19,80 km Walking from Sant'Antimo to Sant'Angelo Scalo and Poggio alle Mura \| 17,14 km
Events in Tuscany \| Sagra del Tordo and the Torneo di Apertura in Montalcino De beste restaurants in Montalcino en Sant’Angelo in Colle \| pdf Conzorzio Brunello di Montalcino \| www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it Elenco produttori imbottigliatori Cantine da visitare Montalcino

	Some of the most particular estates of the Brunello di Montalcino territory	Il Santuario di Santa Maria del Soccorso

Palazzo dei Priori a Montalcino	La chiesa di Sant'Antonio, facciata	The gates of Montalcino

Chiesa di Sant'Agostino	Panorama con la chiesa di San Francesco	Cypress trees between San Quirico d'Orcia and Montalcino
Frazioni Montalcino

Camigliano	Montelifrè	Panorama Sant’Angelo in Colle, Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino vineti e Monte Amiata	Brunello di Montalcino vineyards, Montalcino	Map of the Brunello di Montalcino region \| Member companies of the DOCG Brunello di Montalcino

Poggio alle mura, Castello Banfi, Montalcino	Castello Banfi e vineti	Tenuta Il Poggione Sant'Angelo in Colle



Castelnuovo dell'Abate	Abbazia di Sant'Antimo - 42 - Il presbiterio visto dal matroneo	Anello Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

Circular walk Montalcino - Abbey of Sant'Antimo	The Abbey of Sant'Antimo	La navata centrale vista dal matroneo
The road from Montalcino to San Quirico d'Orcia is particularly noteworthy for the bunch of cypress trees on your right, and between San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza along SS146, where you can admire the Madonna di Vitaleta Chapel, 2 km outside San Quirico.

Cypress trees between San Quirico d'Orcia and Montalcino	San Quirico d'Orcia, Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta	Cypress trees in the Val d'Orcia
Nestled amidst the picturesque vine-covered hills and olive groves of the enchanting southernTuscan countryside, the holiday villa near Montalcino, a charming gem of rustic elegance, welcomes weary travelers with its centuries-old stone façade, ivy-clad walls, and terracotta roof tiles, offering an idyllic retreat where the old world charm of the region harmoniously mingles with modern comforts, as guests step inside to discover a spacious interior adorned with exposed wooden beams, terracotta-tiled floors, and tasteful décor that exudes a sense of timeless sophistication, while large windows frame panoramic vistas of rolling vineyards and Maremma macchiato, providing a backdrop that encapsulates the essence of Tuscany. And as the sun sets over the horizon, the villa's sprawling garden, replete with oleander, fragrant lavender, and a tranquil swimming pool, transforms into a magical oasis where evenings are spent savoring locally-sourced wine and savoring the rich flavors of Tuscan cuisine under the canopy of stars, making it a truly unforgettable destination for those seeking an authentic and indulgent Tuscan experience. Traveling in Tuscany\| De mooiste vakantiehuizen in Toscane \| Podere Santa Pia


The pool, an azure jewel nestled amidst the verdant Tuscan hills, beckoned with its shimmering waters, a siren's call to cool serenity. It was a liquid oasis, where the reflections of swaying cypress trees and fluttering butterflies merged into a dance of light and shadow.

Early morning light at the private swimming pool at Podere Santa Pia	A bigger splash in swimming pool at Podere Santa Pia, southern Tuscany	A beautiful early evening by the pool, a natural jewel nestled amidst the verdant Tuscan hills
[1] Photo by LigaDue licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported l license. [2] Photo by aurelio candido, published under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) license. [3] Foto di Biggs, licenziato in base ai termini della licenza Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0). [4] Foto di Bruno Cordioli, licenziato in base ai termini della licenza Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0).