Montepulciano: Culture, Wine and Nature in Tuscany

Montepulciano combines impressive Renaissance architecture, a wine-making tradition and varied landscapes. Between historic palaces, wineries, a theatre and a nature reserve, you can enjoy a wide range of experiences, allowing you to combine cultural discoveries, regional specialities and active days in a single trip.

Historic Centre and Cultural Highlights

Piazza Grande is Montepulciano’s historic, architectural and cultural meeting point. The Palazzo Comunale, with its Gothic travertine façade and crenellated tower, dominates the square and shapes the townscape. The tower can be reached via an internal staircase and offers views over the Valdichiana and the Val d'Orcia.

The Museo Civico is located in the historic Palazzo Neri-Orselli on Via Ricci. In the archaeological section, you can see Etruscan grave goods from the 6th to the 4th century BC, as well as Roman building 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 the Etruscan section.

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 architecture; of the two towers, only the left one was completed. For another view of the landscape, the Percorso del Poliziano runs for around 200 metres along the old walls. The path offers a 180-degree view of the Valdichiana Senese and Aretina, towards Cortona and over the lakes of Chiusi, Montepulciano and Trasimeno.

Wine, Cellars and Regional Specialities

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

Talosa also combines wine and local history. The main wood-ageing cellar is located in the historic centre beneath Palazzo Tarugi and Palazzo Sinatti. A sales outlet is documented at Via Talosa 8; guided cellar tours with tastings are also offered by reservation. The Sentiero del Nobile passes through vineyards whose grapes are used to produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Nature Reserve and Trails for Cyclists and Walkers

The Lago di Montepulciano Nature Reserve encompasses the lake, the Canale Maestro della Chiana and the surrounding agricultural land. During guided birdwatching tours, the visitor centre, observation tower, internal trails and a birdwatching hide are used; advance booking is required.

For a shorter circular route, the 12-kilometre Tour del Chiaro is available. It runs around the entire nature reserve and can be completed on foot or by mountain bike. The 62-kilometre Sentiero della Bonifica, by contrast, runs 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.

Theatre and Living Traditions

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

One of the town’s distinctive festival traditions is the Bravìo delle Botti, held on the last Sunday in August. During the event, eight Contrade roll 80-kilogram barrels uphill along a 1,800-metre course. The Bruscello Poliziano is another theatrical tradition that has taken place in Montepulciano since 1939 during the Ferragosto period.

For further options when choosing a location, you can also visit the pages for Acquaviva Di Montepulciano (Acquaviva Di Montepulciano), Montepulciano Stazione (Montepulciano Stazione), Sant'albino (Sant'albino) and Gracciano (Gracciano).

For the higher-level travel overview: Siena.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Rolling Barrels in Montepulciano - Holiday in Tuscany (Italy), Montepulciano: Accommodation and Attractions - Travelling and Staying in Tuscany (Italy).

Further Destinations

Other places within the same destination:

Anqua, San Gimignano.