You will meet your guide directly by your hotel if you lodge in Montalcino or by the gardens of Piazza Cavour if arriving by car or limo.
Our tour starts from here and walking through the “Corso” of Via Mazzini, the main walking street, we will see the small craft shops and boutiques still populating the centre. Arriving in Piazza del Popolo, you will be fascinated by the Palazzo dei Priori, one of the ancient buildings here preserved, with its iconic “Campanone”, the Bell Tower, that still beat time in town.
Once home to municipal offices of Montalcino, the building preserves, on the wall of the tower, numerous coats of arms in stone, signs of the passage of many administrators along the centuries-old history of the town.
Reaching Piazza Garibaldi, or as we locals call it “Piazza Padella” (literally the Square Pan), we will see the famous wall of tiles decorated with drawings by important authors to celebrate the new vintages of Brunello presented to the public each February during the festival of Benvenuto Brunello. A contemporary work of art in progress that grows every year.
We’ll follow up visiting Sant’Egidio, one of the oldest churches of Montalcino, where we will admire paintings and sculptures from the Sienese school.
Sant’Agostino complex is our next stop in town. It’s a big area composed of many buildings, probably the most interesting and beautiful of the whole tour. Here finds space the Diocesan and the Civic Museum, which preserves important masterpieces by medieval Tuscan artists so as the archaeological finds dating back to Roman, Etruscan and prehistoric times.
The Sant’Agostino Church features refined fourteenth-century frescoes, some of which were made by the Sienese painter Bartolo di Fredi.
Our walk in town ends at the top of the hill by the Fortress, a military construction built in the XIII century. It is possible to reach the rampart walk of the fortress from where, in clear days, you can admire the gorgeous views of the Val d’Orcia and the Brunello vineyards around the town.
At the end of the morning, by a short 10-minute transfer by your private car or limo, we will reach Sant’Antimo Abbey, a Romanesque gem in the nearby countryside of Montalcino.
The legend tells that was founded by Charlemagne as a vow for having escaped, together with his army, an epidemic of malaria.
here we will take beautiful pictures, visit the inside and the botanical garden. On site there is also a small pharmacy where you will have the possibility to shop some of the traditional products by the monks.
Our tour will end here.
What's included
- private tour led by a certified guide specialized in local art & history
What's not included
- the entrance ticket to the Museum and to the Fortress. If you prefer to avoid these sights we will tailor the tour with an alternative route
FAQ
Can you pick us up by the agriturismo, hotel in the countryside, Piena, San Quirico, Montepulciano, …?
Yes of course. We will provide you a specific quote for this extra service.
Can you provide the tour in Spanish, German, Mandarin, …?
Yes of course. Contact us with advance in order to grant you the best guides from our portfolio of collaborators.
Departures: Everyday
Season: All year long
Would you like to modify this tour or design your own experience in Tuscany?
Let us know your needs and wishes and we will tailor the perfect program for your trip to Italy.
