Montalcino

On top of a hill, between the Ombrone and Asso valleys, stands Montalcino, a small late medieval village and home to one of the most famous wines in the world: Brunello.

In the mid-19th century, a group of winegrowers experimented with grapes from a variety of Sangiovese native to the area and produced a wine that could be aged for long periods, improving with time. This was the birth of Brunello di Montalcino, a wine of excellence in Italian oenology.

But there is much more than just wine! What makes this village so charming is its historic centre and well-preserved ancient walls, its monuments and its unparalleled view of the Sienese hills, Monte Amiata and the vineyards surrounding the village.

Montalcino Castle deserves a special mention. Built in 1361 to protect the town from the conflicts between Siena and Florence, this imposing structure still stands virtually intact, dominating the town centre with its extraordinary visual impact. Today, the Fortress hosts events, festivals and concerts, such as the famous Jazz&Wine Festival, held in July, which perfectly combines the pleasure of listening to Italian and international jazz music with that of good wine!

Piazza del Popolo is Montalcino's main square, next to which stands the Palazzo dei Priori, currently the town hall. This historic building, constructed between the end of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th century, has a façade decorated with the coats of arms and heralds of the families who have ruled the town over the centuries.

Continuing your tour of the village, other points of interest include Montalcino Cathedral, dedicated to San Salvatore, and the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, housed in the former convent of Sant'Agostino, which contains works of great historical and artistic value.

Not far from the town's borders is the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, a beautiful and evocative Romanesque abbey dating back to the 12th century and founded, according to legend, by Charlemagne in 781.

On the last Sunday in October, the Sagra del Tordo is celebrated, an event that revives ancient traditions and rekindles the spirits of the entire population through an archery competition between the four districts of Montalcino.