Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, perched on a hilltop ridge between the Val d'Orcia and the Val di Chian...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Montepulciano now
The story
The story of Montepulciano
Introduction and location
Montepulciano lies in the south-eastern part of the province of Siena, in Tuscany, along a long ridge that separates the Val di Chiana from the Val d'Orcia. The town, recognisable from afar by the compact profile of its walls and towers, overlooks a landscape of hills covered in vineyards, olive groves and fields. Its elevated position has long given it a strategic role over the surrounding countryside, while today it offers panoramic viewpoints across both valleys. The historic town retains its original urban layout, with narrow streets climbing towards the top of the hill.
History and origins
The origins of Montepulciano date back to Etruscan and Roman times, but it was in the Middle Ages that the town took on the layout it largely retains today, long contested between Siena and Florence because of its strategic position along the border of both republics. Once firmly under Florentine influence, between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries it underwent an intense period of urban and architectural renewal, leading to the construction of noble palaces, churches and public works in Renaissance style. This period left a deep mark on the current appearance of the historic centre, now protected as a site of artistic and landscape value.
Nature and landscape
The municipal territory of Montepulciano stretches across a hilly landscape typical of southern Tuscany, where rows of vineyards alternate with olive groves, woodland and cultivated fields. Its ridge-top position offers wide views over the Val di Chiana, a broad reclaimed agricultural plain, and the Val d'Orcia, renowned for the scenic value of its rolling hills. The mild climate and varied soils have long favoured diversified farming, underpinning both wine and olive oil production. Walking along the country lanes around the town reveals a succession of farmhouses, cypress trees and the characteristic white gravel roads of the area.
Things to do and see
The best way to discover Montepulciano is to walk up the main Corso, which climbs from the gate in the walls to Piazza Grande, the civic and religious heart of the town, surrounded by historic buildings. Along the way visitors pass Renaissance palaces, churches and panoramic glimpses of the surrounding countryside. Those interested in local history can visit the town's museums and the ancient cellars carved into the rock beneath the buildings, used for centuries to age wine. Just outside the walls, a celebrated Renaissance temple set among greenery is well worth the short walk from the historic centre.
Flavours and traditions
Montepulciano is best known for its Vino Nobile, produced in one of Tuscany's oldest winemaking areas mainly from Sangiovese grapes grown on the surrounding hills. Historic cellars, many carved into the rock beneath the old town, preserve barrels and ageing traditions passed down through generations. Local cuisine favours simple, genuine produce such as hand-rolled pici pasta, pecorino cheese and extra virgin olive oil from the area. Harvest festivals and agricultural fairs punctuate the calendar throughout the year, offering occasions where farming traditions and town life come together.
Not to be missed
- Piazza Grande, with the Palazzo Comunale and the ancient well of the Griffins and Lions
- The Cathedral of Montepulciano, on the main square
- The Temple of San Biagio, a Renaissance masterpiece just outside the walls
- The historic cellars carved into the rock beneath the old town
- A stroll along the Corso among the Renaissance palaces
To see
What to see in Montepulciano
Routes · Trovido Route
