Montepulciano is a Tuscan walled city, built on a sloping, narrow limestone ridge in the heart of the Vino Nobile wine country. It is the largest mountainous city in southern Tuscany and is known for its impressive central square, beautiful Renaissance buildings, churches, and views.
Montepulciano is located in southern Tuscany (see this map of Tuscany), in Val di Chiana, east of the beautiful Val d’Orcia. It is about 95 kilometers south of Florence and 150 kilometers north of Rome.
Get there
Montepulciano is on a minor railway line and the small train station is a few kilometers from the city. Buses connect the train station to the city. Hourly buses leave from the Chiusi train station, on the main railway line between Rome and Florence and probably more conveniently, to Montepulciano. Buses also go to nearby Tuscan cities such as Siena and Pienza. Please note that buses cannot run on Sundays. From the bus station, you can walk to the historic center or take the little orange bus. The center is closed to traffic except with a permit, so if you are arriving by car, park in one of the lots on the outskirts of town.
The closest airports are in Rome and Florence, see this map of airports in Italy. There are also some flights to Perugia airport in Umbria.
Where to stay
Hotel La Terrazza is a 2-star hotel located in the historic center. Panoramic is a 3-star hotel on the outskirts of the city with a roof terrace, swimming pool, garden and bus service.
If you want to try an agritourism (country house), there are several near the city. San Gallo, 2 kilometers from the city, has three apartments and three rooms.
Main views
- Piazza Grande , the main square, is one of the most impressive in Tuscany. The square is surrounded by 15th-century buildings, including the town hall, the clock tower, and the duomo, as well as cafes and a wine-tasting shop. You reach the square, which crowns the city, following the long and winding street called Corso that goes up the hill from Porta al Prato, one of the old gates.
- Town Hall : Palazzo Comunale is a Gothic-style building with a 15th-century tower inspired by the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence. From the tower, there are magnificent views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
- The Clock Tower has a whimsical ringer above the clock.
- The city walls , designed by Antonio da Sangallo, were built in 1511.
- The cathedral , the duomo or cathedral, dates from the early 17th century. The smooth facade is unfinished. Inside is the triptych of the Assumption of the Virgin by Taddeo di Bartolo painted in 1401.
- The church of Madonna di San Biagio, below the city, is a beautiful Renaissance church. Sangallo worked on the project from 1518 until his death 16 years later, and it is considered his masterpiece.
- Market day is Thursday.
