Palazzo Avignonesi is a late Renaissance building by Giacomo da Vignola, is among several mansions on Via Gracciano nel Corso. Others of interest are Palazzo di Budelli (No. 73), which has a facade featuring Etruscan and Latin inscriptions and Palazzo Cocconi (no. 70), designed by Antonio da Sangallo.

Chiesa di Sant’Agostino Montepulciano

Chiesa di sant’Agostino situated in Piazza Michelozzo, has an attractive Renaissance facade designed by Michelozzo in the 15th century. Inside, there are works by Barocci, Allori and Lorenzo di Credi, while on the high altar there is a wooden crucifix attributed to Donatello. In front of the church, there is a medieval tower house, Torre di Pulcinella, with the town clock and a Pulcinella (Punch from the Punch and Judy), who strikes the hours.

Palazzo Ricci Montepulciano

Palazzo Ricci, on Via Ricci, is one of the towns wine “cantine”, which houses ancient wine cellars, wine-tasting room and shop. The Museo Civico, also on this street, has a collection of terracotta relief’s by the della Robbia school and some Renaissance and Gothic paintings.

Palazzo Comunale Montepulciano

In Piazza Grande, the heart of the town, is Palazzo Comunale. It is a 13th century building which was reworked in the 15th century by Michelezzo and is quite simple in form, with Guelph merlons and solid corbels. It is quite similar to Palazzo Vecchio Florence in structure and from the top of the bell tower there is an beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. There are also palaces in the piazza, such as Palazzo Contucci and Palazzo Tarugi (attributed to Giacomo da Vignola) as well as the Cathedral which has an unfinished façade. Inside, the Cathedral there are three aisles with arches and pillars, and a triptych of the Annumption by Taddeo da Bartolo.

Palazzo Cervini Montepulciano

Palazzo Cervini, built for Cardinal Marcello Cervini by Sangallo, is quite unusual in its structure, having a U-shaped front and a courtyard design in the façade. Chiesa del Gesù is a little further down the road, which was designed by Andrea Pozzo in the 17th century. It is quite Baroque in sentiment, with a beautiful and elegant interior. The facade though is unfinished.

Chiesa di San Biagio Montepulciano

Also worth visiting is the Chiesa di San Biagio, a Renaissance church built by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio and consecrated by Pope Clement VII in 1529, situated about a kilometre out of town. It is a Greek-cross plan with a dome and four wings, while inside, it is quite splendid with large arches and classical ornamental elements such as tympanums, metopes and niches.

Useful Information and links:

Museo Civico
Palazzo Neri Orsellini
Via Ricci , 10
53045 Montepulciano
Tel: + 39 0578 717300
Email: museo.montepulciano@comune.montepulciano.si.it