A STORY OF TRADITION AND EMOTIONS
MONTEPULCIANO
Valdichiana has not only little villages but there are two towns which are the point of reference for the area: Cortona in province of Arezzo and Montepulciano in province of Siena.
Today i'll talk about Montepulciano.
It's a town on the top of the hill in the limit area between the Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia. It's famous for his wine Nobile di Montepulciano. Montepulciano is also a city of art, tradition and history.
HISTORY
The origin of this village are etruscan, starting from IV-III century B.C. and during the roman domination there was a defensive army on the consular streets. After that became a vescovade with San Donato bishop of Arezzo. During the medieval age the town was contended between the cities Siena and Florence. In three-hundred century the domination family was “ Famiglia del Pecora” lords of Vaiano and anarchs of Montepulciano.
Years after Medici submitted Siena and the prosperity and importance of the town decreased.
The cardinal Giovanni Ricci decided to elevate the town episcopal and was decorated and innovated with new curches and places. Followed a long season of the Lorena domination with Cristina da Lorena who increased the build of the cathedral, and other literary circles and theatre.
WHAT TO VISIT?
Starting from the center and first of all from the hill top of the town the most important church is Duomo di Montepulciano. The church was built in 1586-1680 with the project of Ippolito Scalza, there was the ancient church of Santa Maria of which can see the bell tower. The facade is unfinished which should be decorated. Inside the ambient is austere and elegant, there are many artworks, the most important is Trittico dell'Assunta painted by Taddeo di Bartolo in 1401 who is on the greater altar. Another significative monument is the funerary monument for Bartolomeo Aragazzi (was a priest of the cathedral) built with marble of Carrara realised by Michelozzo between in the middle of four-hundred century. Unfortunately the monument is divided in pieces.
In the same square in front of the church there is a wonderful palace “Palazzo Nobili-Tarugi”. The building was made from Antonio da Sangallo in first decade of five-hundred century. It was a nobiliar residence first of all the family Nobili and after Turagi. It's on travertine with sumptuos porch with archs.
Behind the dome few meters through there is the Medicean Fortress which was used for military built in 1267. It was restaured many times the last one is maybe of Antonio da Sangallo. Actually some rooms are used for exposure while others are used by an american university.
Going down the hill you can meet many other interesting buildings as the Chiesa di Santa Lucia built in 1653 by Flaminio del Turco in wonderful roman baroque stile.
Near the principal door of the town going up few meters on the right there is one of the most beautiful church (in my opinion) : Chiesa di Sant'Agostino.
The building is dating to 1285 was completely restored XV century with the work of Michelozzo di Bartolomeo.
But outside of the center in a wonderful panoramic position there is the main and most important church of Montepulciano: Chiesa di San Biagio.
It's an example of reinassance architecture built from Antonio da Sangallo.
In this area was a paleocristian church and now a monumental church with greek cross and the project was supported also from the pope Leone X.
Inside there is the ancient fresco from the last church figuring Madonna con il bambino.
The valley of Montepulciano has also a lake which is the rest of the big paleolitic lake who started from Lago Trasimeno and covered all the Valdichiana. It's a Natural reserve and is the home of many protected birds and other little animals. It's a relaxing oasi where you can also take a boat and visit all the lake. There is also a little restaurant where they cook delicious lake fish.
Near there also the Sentiero della Bonifica.
WHERE TO SLEEP?
There are many hotel and residence for holiday but my tips are in particular two.
One is an ancient hotel in the center of Montepulciano near to the main door. It's name is Marzotto.
The house is a tipical medieval structure, simple but unique. It's not a conventional hotel but the owner care every single details in a traditional mode. It's in a wonderful position with a terrace with a view all over the Valdichiana with Trasimeno lake on horizon.
The restaurant propose traditional dishes and hand made.
Another interesting holiday house is a countryhouse with single depandances. It's the residence of Serraglio not far from the center. The place is a green oasi with quiteness. It's ideal for who want to leave the country and live the confortable of nature. There is also a pool and they produce also a good wine. At least the owner has a wonderful breeding of Pastore Tedesco.
WHERE TO EAT?
Generally the cuisine is the tipical tuscan but some restaurants are expensive. I propose various level of quality and cost.
In the center I remember a good traditional restaurant in the second floor of a palace. That's realy spartan in a room that seems an house living room with fireplace. There are few things in the menu and all decided from the ispiration of the chef or from seasonal products but I assure you that are delicious. It's the place where you really can understand the tuscan cuisine.
A most expansive but fabulous restaurant is Il Poliziano. It's near the theater with elegant and refined rooms. The dishes are realy cared in a high quality of products but the plates seems art works.
WHAT TO DO?
The last sunday of August here there is a challenge called Bravio delle Botti. The game is a running during the streets of the town pushing an heavy barrel full of wine. It's very difficult because the town of Montepulciano is most of all uphill and they have to reach the main square where is the Dome. There are 8 districts who fight and the winner has the tipical decorated cloth.
Another interesting event is Bruscello Poliziano. In the month of august there is this theatral popular show, singing and reciting from unprofessional authors. It represent episod of daily life often with dramatical events created with immagination or took from the history and the past of Montepulciano
The town has also a thermal area famous for the curative quality. That's in locality Sant'Albino and is a good experience for relax and try the power of this curative waters
WHAT TO BUY?
You can't go away from Montepulciano without visit wine cellars indeed the town is renomated for two red wine: Nobile e Rosso di Montepulciano. Most appreciated from strangers, high leveled restaurants and wine passionate.
So book an unforgettable holiday in this town and try the emotions it give you
Thank you
Valdichiana has not only little villages but there are two towns which are the point of reference for the area: Cortona in province of Arezzo and Montepulciano in province of Siena.
Today i'll talk about Montepulciano.
It's a town on the top of the hill in the limit area between the Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia. It's famous for his wine Nobile di Montepulciano. Montepulciano is also a city of art, tradition and history.
HISTORY
The origin of this village are etruscan, starting from IV-III century B.C. and during the roman domination there was a defensive army on the consular streets. After that became a vescovade with San Donato bishop of Arezzo. During the medieval age the town was contended between the cities Siena and Florence. In three-hundred century the domination family was “ Famiglia del Pecora” lords of Vaiano and anarchs of Montepulciano.
Years after Medici submitted Siena and the prosperity and importance of the town decreased.
The cardinal Giovanni Ricci decided to elevate the town episcopal and was decorated and innovated with new curches and places. Followed a long season of the Lorena domination with Cristina da Lorena who increased the build of the cathedral, and other literary circles and theatre.
WHAT TO VISIT?
Starting from the center and first of all from the hill top of the town the most important church is Duomo di Montepulciano. The church was built in 1586-1680 with the project of Ippolito Scalza, there was the ancient church of Santa Maria of which can see the bell tower. The facade is unfinished which should be decorated. Inside the ambient is austere and elegant, there are many artworks, the most important is Trittico dell'Assunta painted by Taddeo di Bartolo in 1401 who is on the greater altar. Another significative monument is the funerary monument for Bartolomeo Aragazzi (was a priest of the cathedral) built with marble of Carrara realised by Michelozzo between in the middle of four-hundred century. Unfortunately the monument is divided in pieces.
In the same square in front of the church there is a wonderful palace “Palazzo Nobili-Tarugi”. The building was made from Antonio da Sangallo in first decade of five-hundred century. It was a nobiliar residence first of all the family Nobili and after Turagi. It's on travertine with sumptuos porch with archs.
Behind the dome few meters through there is the Medicean Fortress which was used for military built in 1267. It was restaured many times the last one is maybe of Antonio da Sangallo. Actually some rooms are used for exposure while others are used by an american university.
Going down the hill you can meet many other interesting buildings as the Chiesa di Santa Lucia built in 1653 by Flaminio del Turco in wonderful roman baroque stile.
Near the principal door of the town going up few meters on the right there is one of the most beautiful church (in my opinion) : Chiesa di Sant'Agostino.
The building is dating to 1285 was completely restored XV century with the work of Michelozzo di Bartolomeo.
But outside of the center in a wonderful panoramic position there is the main and most important church of Montepulciano: Chiesa di San Biagio.
It's an example of reinassance architecture built from Antonio da Sangallo.
In this area was a paleocristian church and now a monumental church with greek cross and the project was supported also from the pope Leone X.
Inside there is the ancient fresco from the last church figuring Madonna con il bambino.
The valley of Montepulciano has also a lake which is the rest of the big paleolitic lake who started from Lago Trasimeno and covered all the Valdichiana. It's a Natural reserve and is the home of many protected birds and other little animals. It's a relaxing oasi where you can also take a boat and visit all the lake. There is also a little restaurant where they cook delicious lake fish.
Near there also the Sentiero della Bonifica.
WHERE TO SLEEP?
There are many hotel and residence for holiday but my tips are in particular two.
One is an ancient hotel in the center of Montepulciano near to the main door. It's name is Marzotto.
The house is a tipical medieval structure, simple but unique. It's not a conventional hotel but the owner care every single details in a traditional mode. It's in a wonderful position with a terrace with a view all over the Valdichiana with Trasimeno lake on horizon.
The restaurant propose traditional dishes and hand made.
Another interesting holiday house is a countryhouse with single depandances. It's the residence of Serraglio not far from the center. The place is a green oasi with quiteness. It's ideal for who want to leave the country and live the confortable of nature. There is also a pool and they produce also a good wine. At least the owner has a wonderful breeding of Pastore Tedesco.
WHERE TO EAT?
Generally the cuisine is the tipical tuscan but some restaurants are expensive. I propose various level of quality and cost.
In the center I remember a good traditional restaurant in the second floor of a palace. That's realy spartan in a room that seems an house living room with fireplace. There are few things in the menu and all decided from the ispiration of the chef or from seasonal products but I assure you that are delicious. It's the place where you really can understand the tuscan cuisine.
A most expansive but fabulous restaurant is Il Poliziano. It's near the theater with elegant and refined rooms. The dishes are realy cared in a high quality of products but the plates seems art works.
WHAT TO DO?
The last sunday of August here there is a challenge called Bravio delle Botti. The game is a running during the streets of the town pushing an heavy barrel full of wine. It's very difficult because the town of Montepulciano is most of all uphill and they have to reach the main square where is the Dome. There are 8 districts who fight and the winner has the tipical decorated cloth.
Another interesting event is Bruscello Poliziano. In the month of august there is this theatral popular show, singing and reciting from unprofessional authors. It represent episod of daily life often with dramatical events created with immagination or took from the history and the past of Montepulciano
The town has also a thermal area famous for the curative quality. That's in locality Sant'Albino and is a good experience for relax and try the power of this curative waters
WHAT TO BUY?
You can't go away from Montepulciano without visit wine cellars indeed the town is renomated for two red wine: Nobile e Rosso di Montepulciano. Most appreciated from strangers, high leveled restaurants and wine passionate.
So book an unforgettable holiday in this town and try the emotions it give you
Thank you
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