Montepulciano between Renaissance, wine and nature

Piazza Grande is the historic, architectural and cultural meeting place of Montepulciano. Beyond this, the town brings together museums, Renaissance architecture, wine traditions, theatre and paths through a natural landscape shaped by a lake, a canal and agriculture. This makes Montepulciano appealing to a range of interests and allows it to be experienced according to your preferred focus: culturally, gastronomically or actively.

Museums, palaces and the Renaissance

The collections of the Museo Civico are housed in the historic Palazzo Neri-Orselli on Via Ricci. The archaeological department includes Etruscan grave goods from the 6th to the 4th century BC, as well as Roman structural remains found near Acquaviva di Montepulciano. The Museo Civico Pinacoteca Crociani also presents the newly arranged Stanza dei Corali, as well as new designs in the entrance area and in the Etruscan department.

The Palazzo Comunale has a Gothic travertine façade and a crenellated tower. An interior staircase takes you to the tower, from where you can look out over the Valdichiana and the Val d'Orcia. Immediately outside Montepulciano stands the Tempio di San Biagio, a Renaissance masterpiece designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder. Its central dome, semicircular apse and two bell towers define the building; only the left bell tower was completed.

Wine and local traditions

The Enoliteca Consortile is located in the cloister of Montepulciano's Antica Fortezza and opens onto an inner courtyard garden. There, you can taste wines from all participating wineries in the Assaggio or Calice tasting formats with the support of specialist staff. Every day, more than 100 wine labels from the relevant designation of origin, as well as typical products, are also available for tasting.

Talosa's most important wood-ageing cellar is located in the historic centre beneath the Palazzo Tarugi and the Palazzo Sinatti. A sales point is also documented at Via Talosa 8; a guided cellar tour with tasting is offered by reservation. The Sentiero del Nobile passes through vineyards whose grapes are used to produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Nature reserve and cycling routes

The Lago di Montepulciano Nature Reserve includes the lake, the Canale Maestro della Chiana and the surrounding agricultural areas. Guided birdwatching uses the visitor centre, the observation tower, the internal paths and an observation hide; advance reservation is required.

The Tour del Chiaro is a 12-kilometre circular route around the entire Lago di Montepulciano Nature Reserve and can be explored on foot or by mountain bike. The Sentiero della Bonifica runs for 62 kilometres along the embankment of the Canale Maestro della Chiana and has only 6 metres of elevation gain. It is directly accessible from the nature reserve's visitor centre and is open exclusively to cyclists and pedestrians.

Short routes and wide views

The Percorso del Poliziano runs for approximately 200 metres beneath the old walls of Montepulciano. It offers a 180-degree view over the Valdichiana Senese and Aretina, as well as towards Cortona and the lakes of Chiusi, Montepulciano and Trasimeno. For a shorter landscape experience, this route combines a manageable length with a far-reaching view across several areas.

Theatre and fixed dates

The Teatro Poliziano is a venue for live performances in the heart of Montepulciano and offers an active cultural programme throughout the year. The annual season combines classical and contemporary theatre productions, music, dance and performances for all generations. The Teatro Poliziano was inaugurated in 1793.

On the last Sunday in August, the Bravìo delle Botti takes place in Montepulciano. In this historic competition, eight contrade roll 80-kilogram barrels uphill along a 1,800-metre course. Another local theatre tradition is the Bruscello Poliziano, which has taken place in Montepulciano since 1939 during the Ferragosto period.

Further sub-destinations at this travel level

For more detailed orientation, you can also explore Acquaviva Di Montepulciano, Montepulciano Stazione, Sant'albino and Gracciano.

For the overview of the higher-level destination: Siena.

Further destinations

Further places within the same destination:

Piancastagnaio, San Quirico D'orcia, Pienza, Badesse.