Montalcino

Located south of Siena, Montalcino is a charming medieval village of extraordinary beauty, known for the fine wine production of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino. This historic village, privileged in the beautiful landscape of the Val'Orcia Natural Park, seems to belong to a suspended time, so well preserved in its medieval features.

The historic beauty of Montalcino
Heading towards Montalcino, one is immediately captivated by the powerful city walls and the authentic castle, a witness to an intriguing past. Virtually untouched since the 16th century, Montalcino captivates with its winding country roads, hills full of ancient oaks, picturesque olive trees and vineyards crisscrossed by lonely cypress trees.

Within the village, the main attraction is undoubtedly the Rocca, a fortress dating back to 1361 that dominates the historic center and offers spectacular views of a panorama that stretches from Mount Amiata to the expanses of the Maremma, crossing the Val d'Orcia and lapping at the Crete Senesi. Equally fascinating is the Piazza del Popolo with its Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the town hall, and its elegant Gothic loggia. Other places to visit include the Bishop's Palace, the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, and the churches of St. Augustine, St. Egidio, and St. Francis.

Montalcino: Cradle of Brunello
Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most fascinating wines on the Italian scene and among the most appreciated in the world, finds its place of origin here. Ferruccio Biondi Santi in 1888 refined the formula for Brunello, using only Sangiovese grapes, thus transforming Montalcino into an international wine benchmark. Notable wine producers include Biondi-Santi, Schidione and Banfi.

Brunello, loaded with flavor and history, represents an unforgettable gastronomic experience, but it does not stop there. Montalcino is also known for its rich artistic and cultural offerings, with major events such as the Jazz & Wine Festival, where jazz and wine tastings combine in a sinuous sensory embrace.

In addition, Montalcino boasts no less than two must-see museums: the Museo Civico e Diocesano di Arte Sacra, enriched by religious paintings and sculptures, and the Museo del Vetro, which traces the history of glassmaking from the Egyptians to the masters of Venice.

A village to explore
A tour through the narrow streets of Montalcino is not only a historical and artistic experience, but also a fun journey to discover local flavor. The borgo offers a wide selection of arts and crafts stores, cafes, restaurants and wine bars available for those who wish to fully immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of the place. And for those who wish to take a piece of Montalcino with them, the local wineries will welcome you with open arms, allowing you to take home a bottle of the superb Brunello.

Montalcino is more than just a village: it is a sensory journey that combines history, natural beauty, culture and enology like no other place in Italy. An experience worth living at least once in a lifetime.

BY CAR

• From Milan: Take the A1 highway towards Rome, exit at Firenze Certosa, take the Firenze - Siena highway, exit at Siena Sud and take the SS 2 Cassia towards Rome, cross Monteroni d'Arbia, after the town of Buonconvento turn towards the SP 45 del Brunello and follow it to Montalcino.
• From Rome: Take the A1 highway towards Florence, exit at Chiusi Chianciano Terme, merge onto the SS 146 and cross Chianciano Terme, Montepulciano, Pienza, S.Quirico d'Orcia, continue on the SS 2 Cassia towards Siena and exit at Montalcino .
• From Grosseto: Take the SS 223 Grosseto - Siena highway, at Paganico turn in the direction of the SP 64 and follow signs for Monte Amiata, continue until the indication for S. Angelo Scalo where you turn for the SP 52, continue to Montalcino.

ON THE TRAIN

• Buonconvento railway station

BY PLANE

• Florence airport
• Pisa airport
• Rome Fiumicino Airport

On the external back of the Val d'Orcia there is Montalcino, the homeland of the Brunello, one of the most famous and appreciated Italian wines in the world, as well as the first to obtain in 1980 the Docg certification. Every thing in this hamlet tastes like its grapes, each brick has the colors of its secular tradition. Even the ancient Rocca, built by Sienese people in 1361, today houses in its interior a winery dedicated to the world of Brunello. And with a glass of this nectar of the gods in one hand, you can also be nourished by the music and the theatre, thanks to the shows hosted in the courtyard. Montalcino is in fact rich of art, as well as one the most ancient centres of ceramic production in the whole of Tuscany. The Convent of Sant'Agostino is the place for the city museums. In a really green valley at a certain distance from the village we find the abbey of Sant'Antimo. You might say it looks like a French church, so high, all vertical, in travertine and alabaster. They began to build it in the second half of the XII century. Griffins, eagles, fantastic animals and geometric motifs write stories on the portals of the building and on the capitals. Despite being throughout the year a locality rich in events, folklore and traditions, by far the most outstanding is the Tourney for the opening of the hunting season in mid-August, which is actually an exciting shooting match in which the targets are faithful replicas. The prize is a silver arrow which evokes the ancient tradition of the wild game homage to the castellan.

Discover the other villages on the guide Tuscany - Villages to love