What to See and Do

The whole town is filled with great palaces, churches and other buildings although conveniently most of them concentrate around Piazza Grande (Pictue 1).
Going beyond the walls you will find the Chiesa di Sant’Agnese dating back to the 1300s and finally modified by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio in the 16th century. Porta al Prato is considered to perhaps be of his creation.
Leaving from Porta al Prato to the south and strolling along Via di Graciano nel Corso you will come to Piazza Savonarola and its Colonna del Marzocca dating back to the beginning of the 16th century, a monument erected in honour of Montepulciano and Florence becoming allies. The colonna (column) is topped by a stone lion which is a reproduction of the original now kept in the Museo Civico.
The Palazzo Avignonesi was designed by Giacomo da Vignola in the late Renaissance style. It is located on Via di Gracciano del Corso 91.
On the same street are the Palazzo di Bucelli (nº73), adorned with Etruscan and Latin lettering and reliefs and the Palazzo Cocconi (nº 70) whose architect was Sangallo.
Strolling along the same street as you reach Piazza Michelozzo are the Chiesa di Sant ‘Agostino and the Torre di Pulcinella (Picture 3). The church’s highlight is its lunette window over the entrance with the terracotta Madonna and Child, John the Baptist and Saint Augustine. The tower has a large clockface and lthe pulcinelle keeping watch of everything.
Climb up the hill and turn right to find the Loggia di Mercato. Off hereis the Palazzo Ricci with its Cantina del Redi, its cellars, tasting area and wine shop.
Opposite Palazzo Ricci at Via Ricci 10 (tel. 0578 71 73 00) sits the Palazzo Neri–Orselli in its Gothic style. Inside you can see both Gothic and Renaissance pieces as well as the della Robbia family’s terracotta reliefs.

Piazza Grande is dominated by the 13th century Gothic Palazzo Comunale, still with the same function. The palace was modified in the 1400s by Michelozzo. Admission to the palace is free, unlike its tower which provides views of the Monti Sibillini and the Gran Sasso.
Also in the square is the Palazzo Contucci, which has vast wine cellars and a restaurant.
The cathedral (Picture 2), built in the 1500s, houses a triptych based on the Assumption by Taddeo da Bartolo. Although its façade has never been completed, the duomo (dome) is splendid.
Leaving the square is the Palazzo Tarugi, which may also have been Giacomo da Vignola´s work. From Piazza Michelozzi along Via Voltaia nel Corso is the Renaissance Palazzo Cervini (nº21) constructed for the man who would become Marcellus II. This palazzo, unlike much plainer examples, has a U-shaped façade and a courtyard. A little further along the same street is the Chiesa del Gesù with baroque interiors.
The Renaissance Chiesa di San Biagio on the street of the same name is another work by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder. Its marble altarpiece is its best feature.
Resembling the Palio di Siena, the Bravio delle Botti is a competition entered by the 8 districts of Montelpulciano. This competition was originally held on horses but today it consists of teams of two contestants who compete rolling enormous barrels uphill towards Piazza Grande. The celebration is completed by participants wearing traditional attire.

The tourist information office is on Piazza Don Minzoni (tel. 0578 75 73 41 www.prolocomontepulciano.it). Besides providing information here you can purchase bus and train tickets, book accommodation and use the internet.
Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano information office (tel. 0578 71 74 84; www.stradavinonobile.it ) can provide all information wine experts and aficionados could need.