Montepulciano
One of the most charming hill towns in Tuscany is the ancient Etruscan city of Montepulciano. With endearing vistas and a rich history, this rare gem makes for a beguiling excursion. The city sits upon a limestone ridge, fortified in stone under the direction of Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1511. As a notable producer of food and wine, Montepulciano is a wonderful site for indulging your epicurean senses. Its Vino Nobile is one of the many wines from the region celebrated by connoisseurs everywhere, and the town is recognized for its fabulous cheese, pasta, and other appetizing fare.
As with most of Tuscany, the architecture is not to be underestimated. Because Montepulciano enjoyed a long phase of prosperity, roughly from the end of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, there are many well-preserved architectural edifices worth exploring. One masterpiece of architecture, which must not be missed, is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio, situated just outside of the town and worth the jaunt. The city streets themselves warrant a rambling trek with picturesque detours through small roads that crisscross off the Piazza Grande in the center of town. And if you can’t get enough Renaissance art, the town is resplendent in treasured works. With such tempting diversions, Montepulciano is very much the “pearl” it was so named.