Montepulciano is a Renaissance hill town, famous for the beauty of its patrician palaces, its medieval wine cellars and its origin as an historically important diocese.
Thanks to its location at 600 meters above sea level, Montepulciano has a wonderful view over the surrounding countryside: the Orcia valley on one side, the Val di Chiana valley on the other one. Montepulciano is also home to worldwide famous Nobile wine, to which the whole valley owes 70% of its economic success.
Apart from Nobile wine, other delicacies produced in this area are olive oil, pecorino cheese and Chianina steak.
Inspired by the town’s beauty, many renowned artists among which Michelozzo, Sangallo, Baldassarre Peruzzi and il Vignola lived and worked in Montepulciano for years. Moreover, Renaissance poet Agnolo Ambrogino, better known as il Poliziano, was born here: the name Poliziano itself comes from “Mons Politianus”, Montepulciano’s medieval name.
The main sights in Montepulciano include the Palazzo Comunale, designed by Michelozzo; the sanctuary of S. Biagio– probably the most renowned Renaissance temple in Italy, which was designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio; the Civic Museum and the Crociani gallery. Montepulciano is also a paradise for music lovers: its Music institute has over 500 students and its Academy of Music and Arts is famous world-wide. As regards the other arts, The international Cantiere dell’Arte, conceived by Hans Werner Henze.