Montalcino -This small town
(567m, pop 5030) is situated on a hill covered with olive
groves and the famous Brunello vineyards dominating the Asso,
Ombrone and Arbia valley.
Already inhabited in Etruscan and Roman
times, Montalcino was a possession of the abbey of Sant'Antimo,
then it became a commune and, after the battle of Monteaperti(1260)
it entered the Sienese sphere of influence. In 1361 the Sienese
built the fortress, which, after the town was conquered by
the Florentines in 1555, held out until 1559.
Surrounded by walls, the oldest part
of Montalcino is located along the main street, the via Matteotti,
which widens to form the Piazza del Popolo, the medieval centre
of the town. At the point where Via Matteotti enters the piazza
stands the "Palazzo dei Priori" now the town hall,
built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Adorned with the coats
of arms of the podestà, the facade of this fine example
of Sienese architecture has two rows of windows; above it
soars a tall tower. Also facing the piazza is a large "loggia"
comprising six round arches; built in the 14th and 15th centuries,
it has been considerably restored.
On the highest part of the hill is
the fortress; an outstanding example of military architecture,
it was built on a a pentagonal plan in 1361 to a desing by
Mino Foresi and Domenico di Feo.
An important collection of Sienese
paintings is to be found in the "Museo Civico e diocesano
d'arte sacra" housed in the former seminary next to the
14th century "church of Sant' Agostino". Offering
an almost complete overview of the artistic output of this
Tuscan town, the collection includes a "Virgin and Child"
by Simoni Martini, and "St Peter and St Paul" by
Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
How to reach Montalcino: From Siena, direction Buonconvento
(SS2) after Buonconvento, 2 Kms you will find a sign for Montalcino.
Where is Montalcino: is located in the south of Siena
province, in the border with the province of Grosseto. See
the map
Nearby: Visit Val d' Orcia, San Quirico d' Orcia,
Pienza, Montepulciano
Distances: Siena 42 Km - Florence 110 Km - Pisa 150
Km - Arezzo 85 Km
Correct name is Montalcino
Common mistakes are Montealcino, Mountalcino, Mont'Alcino,
Muntalcino
|
Montalcino
- Siena - Tuscany Italy
Montalcino 
