Montalcino is a tiny town of aroun 5000 people and like many in the region is sat atop a hill, this time coverered with olive groves and the famous Brunello vineyards which dominate the Asso, Ombrone and Arbia valleys. With a history stretching back to Etruscan and Roman times, Montalcino was a possession of the abbey of Sant'Antimo, before becoming a commune and, after the battle of Monteaperti in 1260, it was part of the Siena sphere of influence. The ruling Siena built the fortress in 1362 but to no avail as Florence conquered the town in 1559.
The oldest part of Montalcino is within the surrounding town walls and runs along the main street, the via Matteotti, which widens into the Piazza del Popolo, the old medieval centre of town. Here you will find the "Palazzo dei Priori" now the town hall and which dates from the 13th and 14th centuries.Sat on the highest part of the hill is the wonderful fortress; an outstanding example of military architecture dating from 1361.
Visit the Museo Civico e Diocesano d'arte Sacra to see an important collection of paintings and don't forget to visit the wineries that produce the internationally renowned Brunello di Montalcino wine.
