Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
San Quirico
d'Orcia
9
Road map
E4.
As you walk down into the
town from the Fortezza, the
monastery of Sant'Agostino
and its 14th-century church,
with an attractive rose win-
dow, are on the right. Just
beyond is the
Palazzo
Vescovile
, formerly the
bishop's palace. The
Palazzo
Comunale
stands on the
Piazza del Popolo. Construct-
ed in the 13th and 14th centu-
ries, its tall, slim tower rises
above the town.
The Duomo, San Salvatore,
was designed in 1818-32
by Agostino Fantastici, and
replaced the original Roman-
esque church building.
+
*
2,390.
@
n
Piazza Chigi 2 (0577 89 97 24).
(
2nd & 4th Tue of month.
Montalcino's 14th-century Fortezza
Spectacular views over the
surrounding countryside are
available from the walkway
on the ramparts.
There is an Enoteca (wine
shop) in the grounds of the
Fortezza, where the Brunello
red wines are on sale.
Inside the fortress there is
an ancient Sienese battle
standard, a reminder that the
town gave refuge to a band
of rebels after Florence
conquered Siena in 1555. In
remembrance of this, flag-
bearers from the village of
Montalcino are given the
honour of leading the parade
before the Palio in Siena
every year
(see p222)
.
Fortezza
Piazzale della Fortezza.
Tel
0577
84 92 11.
Enoteca
Nov-Mar:
9am-6pm daily; Apr-Oct:
9am-8pm daily.
&
for ramparts.
E
#
Collegiata in San Quirico
Palazzo Vescovile
Via Spagni 4.
Tel
0577 84 81 68.
¢
to the public.
E
Standing just inside the city
walls, San Quirico d'Orcia's
pride is the
Collegiata
, featur-
ing three ornately carved
Romanesque portals built onto
an 8th-century structure. Begun
in 1080, the capitals and lintels
of the portals are carved with
details of dragons, mermaids
and other mythical beasts.
The church commemorates
the 3rd-century martyr St
Quiricus, who was killed at the
age of five by the Romans for
the simple act of declaring
himself a Christian. Quiricus is
depicted in the elaborate altar
piece by Sano di Pietro, along
with the Virgin and Child and
other saints.
Next to the church is the
17th-century
Palazzo Chigi
,
whose frescoed interior has
recently been restored. The
Horti Leonini
nearby is a 16th-
century garden of box hedges
nestling within the town walls.
It was intended as a refuge for
pilgrims, and is now used as a
public sculpture garden during
the summer months.
R
Palazzo Comunale
Costa del Municipio 1.
Tel
0577 84
93 31.
¢
to the public.
Collegiata
Via Dante Alighieri.
Tel
0577
89 72 36.
#
8am-5pm daily.
P
Palazzo Chigi
Piazza Chigi.
10am-1pm,
4-7pm (Oct-Mar: 3:30-6:30pm)
Tue-Sun.
Y
Horti Leonini
Piazza Libertà.
Tel
0577 89 72 11.
#
#
sunrise-sunset daily.
7
partial.
Flower-covered house in the pretty town of Montalcino
