MONTEPULCIANO

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Montepulciano is a medieval village in the province of Siena.
Close to Pienza, it's 70 km far from Siena, the hill town (with an elevation of 605 m) is famous for the wine (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) and for the "pici", a traditional dish.

In the village of Montepulciano visit Antonio da Sangallo's San Biagio, a wonderful Renaissance church.

You can then spend time walking the streets and feel what it was like to live in the medieval period.

More info about Montepulciano in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

PIENZA

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Pienza is a Renaissane town in the heart of Val d'Orcia (province of Siena).

It's been completely rebuilt in the mid-15th century (also the name, before it was called "Corsignano") thanks to Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II), turned this out of the way hill town into a testing ground for the most advanced Renaissance ideas about urban planning.

The project was UNESCO declared Pienza a World Heritage Site in 1996 (in 2004 the entire Val d'Orcia was declared World Heritage Site).

Take a mourning to walk the streets before moving onto the next village.

More info about Pienza in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

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SAN GIMIGNANO

San Gimignano is a medieval town that owes its famous skyline to the rival families who tried to outdo each other by building taller and taller towers. Of the original 76 towers only 13 still survive today.

It's famous also for its white wine: the Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

It' been declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

More info about San Gimignano in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

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ASCIANO

This hill town is a medieval oasis upper the Ombrone valley, in the very heart of "Crete" desert.

It was founded by Etuscan, then it becames a Roman village and in XIII century it was purchased by the Sienise.

Asciano has many historical monuments, between them the Romanesque Basilica di Sant'Agata within the 15th century ramparts.

More info about Asciano in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

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BAGNO VIGNONI

Besides being a pleasant little town set up like a terrace on the Orcia valley, it has a thermal water basin right in the middle of the town square. It is a popular spa town with both an official spa and outside stone culverts with thermal water running in the open.

LE CRETE

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The name comes from the "crests" of clay eroded over the centuries into a dramatic desert of parched hillocks. The area is home to some of the most remote vestiges of the Sienese heritage in the enchanting scenery of the Val d'Orcia area. This unique natural landscape has inspired countless poets, writers and painters. only 13 still survive today.

More info about Crete Senesi in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

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MONTALCINO

South of the "Crete" , this enchanting fortified hill town is well-known for its red Brunello wine.

The city walls were built in the thirteenth century. The fortress was built on the highest point of the city in 1361 and includs the tower of Saint-Martin, the tower of St. John and an old church, that now is the chapel of the castle.

A wine cellar (Enoteca) in the castle offers local wines for tasting and purchase.

More info about Montalcino in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

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MONTERIGGIONI

This enchanting little hill town just 15 km north of Siena has an almost intact circular 13th century fortification wall enclosing the village. It used to be part of Siena's defence system against Florentine attacks.

During Summer there's an Opera Festival inside the Monteriggioni Castle, visit our page dedicated to Opera and Classical Concert in Monteriggioni!

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MONTE OLIVETO MAGGIORE

This 14th century Benedictine monastery stands on a rocky ridge near Asciano in a scenic park of traditional tuscan trees. The nave's choir stalls count among Italy's finest works of inlaid wood carvings.

More info about Monte Oliveto Maggiore in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!

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SANT'ANTIMO

The 12th century Benedictine abbey, 10 km south of Montalcino enjoys a delightful setting amid olive groves.Translucent onyx and alabaster in the bases of the columns give the nave a delicate light.

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SAN QUIRICO D'ORCIA

This fortified town 15 km east of Montalcino was a major stop for north european pigrims journeying to Rome in the Middle Ages. The amazing view of the Orcia valley can be enjoyed from Piazza della Libertà.

More info about San Quirico d'Orcia in our section dedicated to Terre di Siena!