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A long line of cypresses line the way to the San Biagio – a gorgeous honey-coloured Renaissance church and a Antonio da Sangallo masterpiece. Montepulciano’s asymmetrical design stops it from being the museum piece of Pienza, but its charms are numerous. Its proximity to both Florence and Siena
has influenced its architecture, with Florentine facades and Sienese Gothic interior touches. Its spring landscape is said to have inspired Botticelli’s ‘Primavera’ and resident poet and scholar, Poliziano’s stanzas. Poliziano’s house is just off the Piazza Grande. It is possible to climb the Tower to survey the whole province. Also worth a visit is the Palazzo Bucelli, which dates back to the Etruscans King, Lars Porsena and the porticoed Canon’s House. Famous for it ‘perfect’ (red) wine, try a glass or two with some bruschetta (toasted garlic bread drenched in olive oil). On the last Sunday in August, you might catch a local custom, a barrel race, where heavy barrels are pushed up hill. Introduced when the palio was deemed too dangerous, its almost equally violent!
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