Montepulciano (Montepulciano) - a mysteriously beautiful city in the province of Siena among the picturesque valleys of the Tuscan region. It rises on a hill 600 meters high between the val d'Orcia val val and Val di Chiana valleys. Landscapes that open up from a hill look like a biblical paradise. The architecture of the city itself inspires a vague alarm and a desire to understand why this alarm arose. Filmmakers who love traveling through the depths of the subconscious, without saying a word, choose Montepulciano as the location for the shoot.
In these places, wine cellars for aging the noble Nobile de Montepulciano (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) are adjacent to the burial places of the Etruscan nobility, and thermal springs remember these Etruscans alive. Montepulciano is for lovers of leisurely travels, when there is time to feel and enjoy the astringency of wine, the exquisiteness of food, the culture of the region and communication with its people.
Story
Residents of Montepulciano consider themselves direct descendants of the Etruscans, who laid the foundation for Roman greatness.
The appearance of the city on the top of the hill is a characteristic sign of Etruscan culture. In the IV-III centuries BC, Montepulciano was the capital city of Etruria, the residence of the king. (Monte - mountain; Pulciano - leader). Since the time of the Etruscans, Sangiovese grapes, the basis of the famous "Nobile", have been cultivated in the vicinity. The engineering achievements of this ancient people made it possible to use the salts of thermal lakes for medicinal purposes.
Today, near the city there is a health complex Terme di Montepulciano - Its picturesque surroundings became the final shots of Tom Tykver’s painting “Paradise”. Many houses, shops and wine cellars keep the necropolises of Etruscan priests. The seal of ancient culture became the charisma of the city.
The city experienced its second prosperity in the XV-XVI centuries, when it entered into an alliance with Florence in the fight against the claims of Siena. Through the efforts of the Medici dynasty and the hands of the great Florentine masters: Sangallo, Vignola, Peruzzi, Miquelozzo - the city was transformed and became the pearl of Tuscany. The buildings of the late 16th century, and especially the palaces of the Tuscan nobility, bear the imprint of mannerism - pretentiousness, unjustified constructive decisions that upset the balance of form and content and cause the viewer to feel uneasy. Maybe that's why Andrei Tarkovsky chose Montepulciano for the filming of "Nostalgia" - a film that marks the impetus for the return of harmony.
The current charm of the city is in the illusion of a frozen time; it seems that the city has survived as it was 500 years ago. Even cars have almost no place on its narrow streets with arched ceilings: they can’t part there.
Sights and architecture
For tourists who come here for a few hours, the whole city is one long street that starts from the parking lot at the gates of Porta al Prato and leads to the top of the hill. The path along it requires physical and volitional efforts; A regular bus goes up to the main square.
The main street
Main street - via di Gracciano nel Corso - a crowded pedestrian area with many shops and souvenir shops, restaurants, as well as wine cellars with the inscription "Degustazione libera" - free tasting; passing such temptations is not easy.
At the beginning of the street stands Colonna del Marzocco with lions - the coat of arms of Florence. Until 1511, a she-wolf stood at this place - a sign of the subordination of the city to Siena authorities. Halfway to the top of the hill is the Palace Tower Pulcinella (La Torre dell'orologio di Pulcinella) with a city clock. Italian parsley on the roof beats with a hammer on the bell every hour.
On both sides of the street there is a Tuscan noble palace, the most bizarre of which is the Palazzo Cervini in the form of Latin U, with a pretty courtyard and art gallery inside. Next, follow the signs to the right to get to the main square of the city.
Cathedral Square
The main square (Piazza Grande) is an example of the architecture of the late Renaissance, which is characterized by a violation of the balance between form and content.
Cathedral
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) - the main temple of the city - the building of the XVII century. The brick building is deprived of facade decoration and, compared with the Gothic bell tower of the 15th century, looks heavy. Inside - a huge space with massive gray columns rushes to the main jewel of the temple - the luxurious altar triptych "Assumption of the Virgin", created in the early 15th century by Taddeo di Bartolo.
Town Hall
Opposite the cathedral stands the Palace of the Commune (Palazzo Comunale) - the twin of the Florentine town hall. Having paid about 2 euros, you can climb the tower of the palace, from where the enchanting Tuscan landscape opens. Next to the town hall is a well of griffins and lions, holding the Medici coat of arms (Pozzo dei Grifi e dei Leoni) - another sign of the former authority of the Florentine dynasty over the city.
The palaces of the aristocratic families of Tarazzi (Palazzo Nobili-Tarugi) and Contucci (Palazzo Contucci), luxurious and sophisticated, border the Piazza Grande on the sides. The square complex unexpectedly, but organically fit into the scenery of the series "Twilight. Saga. New Moon." Apparently it was no coincidence that the director Chris Weitz saw here the features of the family castle of vampires.
Fortress
The oldest part of the city - the fortress (la Fortezza) - dates from the VIII-IX centuries. The ancient defensive structure gives a grandiose overview of the area, which makes perhaps the most impressive impression when visiting Montepulciano. The building hosts art exhibitions; a cozy park is surrounded around.
Church of San Biagio
Church of St. Blasia (Santuario di San Biagio) - a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, created by Antonio da Sangallo in 1518-1545. She stands below at the foot of the hill: for her inspection you will have to overcome the steep descent along via di S. Biagio and climb back. The church is magnificent from the outside: proportions, elegant decoration without frills, the harmony of the surrounding landscape.
Murals, sculptures, wall paintings and a wonderful organ adorn the church from the inside. The temple is valid today. There is parking here; access by car is possible.
Objects of gastronomic tourism
Montepulciano since the time of the Etruscans has been and remains an important center of winemaking; Today, the food industry is also developed here.
Wine "Nobile de Montepulciano"
"Noble wine from Montepulciano" (Vino Nobile de Montepulciano) - this ancient drink got its name in the middle of the XVI century, when it was delivered to the papal table. "King of all Tuscan wines" was Nobile until the 19th century, when it was mixed with Chianti wine. At the end of the 20th century, the city's winemakers managed to restore the identity of the grape varieties from which Nobile de Montepulciano is made:
- Sangiovese Prunolo Gentile - 70%;
- Canaiolo (Canaiolo) - 30%;
- Mammolo (Mammolo or another local variety) - 20%.
Today, the wine "Nobile de Montepulciano" is included in the DOCG category, which strictly outlines the cultivation area of original grape varieties and makes high demands on the manufacturing technology and the aging time of the products. The highest quality wine for at least 2 years, it must be aged in oak barrels in the cool wine cellars, and then ripen in bottles. Famous in the city is also the wine Rocco di Montepulciano.
Wineries and cantines
City wineries and wine tasting centers of famous local wines are the most visited places in Montepulciano.
Winery Avignonesi is the best winery in the city, it can be visited during the tour. Impressive acquaintance with the technology of wine production, the surrounding rural landscape, tasting with local cheeses for a snack. Address: Via Colonica 1, 53045, Montepulciano.
Cantina is a cellar for storing, tasting and selling wines, which are numerous in Montepulciano.
Cantina Ercolani is located at the entrance to the city gate, its cellars stretch for many kilometers underground, here you can go down to the Etruscan burial cave - all for free, as well as wine tasting. Contucci Cantine is located in the Contucci Palace in the main square of the city.
Also popular are Cantina de 'Ricci and Cantina Fattoria della Talosa near the center.
Restaurants and specialties
The most popular gourmet restaurants, La Grotta and Le Logge Del Vignola, are housed in medieval mansions and offer basic Tuscan dishes.
Tagliatelle (flat egg noodles 5-8 mm) with truffles; local sausages; ciaccia - pastries with olive oil, ravaggiolo - cheese in fern leaves - all this is worth a try in any cafe in the city.
Terms
Terme di Montepulciano (Terme di Montepulciano) lie 1.5-2 km from the city, in the village of Sant'Albino. They originate from different sources with temperatures from 24 ° to 34 °.
Healing calcium-sulfate-alkaline waters treat the respiratory system and heart, skin defects and the musculoskeletal system, restore the nervous system. There are baths, hydromassage, therapeutic mud.
Working season: 1.03 - 21.12, from Monday to Friday the terms work from 14:30 to 18:30, on Saturday - from 8:30 to 12:30. Address: Via delle Terme, 46, 53045 Sant'Albino, Montepulciano
- Official site: www.termedimontepulciano.it
Hotels
Montepulciano offers various accommodation options depending on the purpose of the trip.
Etruria Resort & Natural Spa
The luxurious 4-star Etruria Hotel is located in a 19th-century mansion and has a relaxation center with a pool, sauna, hydromassage and fitness room. The rooms are decorated with antique wood. The restaurant features excellent Tuscan cuisine and a rich selection of local wines. The hotel is located at the foot of a hill with stunning views of the city.
La pievina
La Pievina Country House is 3 km from Montepulciano in the Val d'Orcia Valley, with easy access to all the resort's facilities. Free parking is available. The country-style rooms have a private bathroom and a TV. A breakfast of farm products is provided each morning. Around - a wonderful rural landscape.
B&B Villa San Bartolomeo
Villa San Bartolomeo is designed for caravans, a 5-minute drive from Montepulciano, and offers free parking. The rooms are decorated in a rustic style, there are TVs, Wi-Fi access, minibar, bathroom. In the morning a buffet is served.
How to get there
Regular bus service is established near Montepulciano with three cities:
- Pienza: 8 buses go to the resort, travel time 30 minutes, fare € 2. Ticket schedule here www.sienamobilita.it
- Siena: 4 buses per day run in the direction of Montepulciano, travel time - 3 hours, fare - € 5. www.tiemmespa. From Siena to Montepulciano after 4 hours, electric trains go to Montepulciano-Autostazione. We buy train tickets at trenitalia.com. From there, you can take a bus to Montepulciano-Autostazione.
- Chiusi: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme train station, located on the Rome-Florence-Milan route. To get to Montepulciano from these cities, you need to take a train to Chiusi, transfer to a bus that runs in 30 minutes. Travel time - about an hour, cost - € 2.5. www.sienamobilita.it
If your trip plans do not include a long stay in Montepulciano, it is better to stay at a hotel in Chiusi, rent a car and get to know this beautiful city and its environs in the afternoon. Car rental: auto.italy4.me.
The A1 motorway leads to Montepulciano by car. From the North, drive to the city of Bettolle, then follow the Torrita di Siena, follow the directions for Montepulciano. From the south of Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, take the exit onto Chianciano Terme and then onto Montepulciano.
Even a casual and fleeting acquaintance with Montepulciano will surely leave a pleasant aftertaste and will not disappoint at all.
