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Montalcino is situated on a high hill between the valleys of Ombrone and Asso rivers at 564 meters above sea level. From Siena are about 40 km, along the SS. Cassia in direction of Rome. A few km after Buonconvento turns to the right following the indications for the city.
HISTORY
The first historical document that indicates the existence of this town of Val d’Orcia was written in 814 when it was under the administration of the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. In 13th century the town was disputed between Florence and Siena. Montalcino sided with Florence, but after the senese victoria in Montaperti surrendered to Siena.
In subsequent years the city rebelled twice to the senese rule and because of that, Siena in 1361 built a fortress guarded by their militias. Then in 1525 the city resisted to the troops of Pope Clement VII and in 1553 to the imperial soldiers. It was here that a group of sienese exiles, headed by Pietro Strozzi, retreated after the fall of the Sienese Republic, in this short period was also minted its own currency. In 1559, even Montalcino, submitted to the Spanish troops.
THE FORTRESS
The visit of Montalcino is interesting, among its dominant landmark is undoubtedly the fortress of the fourteenth century. Other notable monuments are the Palazzo Comunale or dei Priori (14th century), the Church of Sant’Egidio or Sienese (1325), the gothic-romanesque church of Sant’Agostino (14th century) with the Seminary and the Diocesan Museum, the Church and the convent of San Francesco, the Hospital of Santa Maria della Croce and the Castellana Source. Of interest are also the city walls with its six doors. The Cathedral of San Salvatore is instead a modern church built in 800.
THE FAMOUS WINE: THE BRUNELLO
Montalcino is the land of one of the most famous Tuscan wines: the Brunello. This wine has been decorated with the highest recognition DOCG “controlled and guaranteed denomination of origin” from July 1980. Brunello is a wine that is made from the Sangiovese grape, the classic grape of Italy. There are three types of brunello wines: Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello and Brunello Riserva.
A few kilometers from Montalcino, surrounded by a beautiful rural landscape, there is the beautiful Romanesque abbey of Sant’Antimo, one of the most valuable monuments of monastic architecture of Tuscany.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Weekly market: friday
Viale della Libertà 7.00-13.00
Information Offices
Ufficio Informazioni
Costa del Municipio, 8
tel. e fax +39 0577 849331
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- AA. VV. “Toscana” Guide Rosse Touring Club Italiano, 2007
- AA. VV. “Montalcino, Sant’Antimo, San Quirico, Bagno Vignoni e Radicofani” 2012, KMZero
- Chironi Giuseppe, Dondoli Francesco “Val d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani, San Quirico d’orcia” 2003, Aska Edizioni
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