Montepulciano

About

Montepulciano is renowned for its pork, cheese, "pici" pasta, lentils, and honey, but it's known worldwide for its wine. Connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy's best. The city, full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches and hidden corners, boasts vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. It has one of the most intact and architecturally unified historic centres of any Italian town: within its walls, no major building work has taken place since 1580. Piazza Grande is the heart of Montepulciano and the setting for its main events, including the Bravio delle Botti barrel racing contest held in August every year and much more. Just be prepared to share the town: Montepulciano has received great attention following the filming of the vampire saga Twilight sequel New Moon here and has seen a notable increase in visitors.