Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sant'Agostino
(Piazza Michelozzo; 9am-noon & 3-6pm)
and the
Torre di Pulcinella
, a medieval
tower house topped by the hunched figure of Pulcinella (Punch of Punch and Judy fame),
who strikes the hours on the town clock.
After passing historic
Caffè Poliziano
, which has been operating since 1868, the Corso
eventually does a dog-leg at Via del Teatro, continuing uphill past
Cantine Contucci
(
www.contucci.it
; Via del Teatro 1; fee for tastings; 9.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-6pm Mon-Fri, from
9.30am Sat & Sun)
, housed underneath the handsome
palazzo
of the same name. You
can visit the historic cellars and taste local tipples here. Palazzo Contucci fronts onto
Piazza Grande
, the town's highest point. Also here are the 14th-century
Palazzo Comunale
(panoramic terrace €2)
and the late-16th-century
duomo
(Piazza Grande)
, with its unfinished
facade. Behind the high altar is Taddeo di Bartolo's lovely
Assumption
triptych (1401).
From Piazza Grande, Via Ricci runs downhill past
Palazzo Ricci
(
www.palazzoricci.com
;
Via
Ricci 9-11)
; its lovely main salon hosts occasional concerts during the year (see the website
for details). From the
palazzo'
s courtyard, stairs lead down to another historic wine cel-
lar,
Cantina del Redi
(Via Ricci; fee for tastings; 10.30am-7pm mid-Mar-early-Jan, Sat & Sun only
early-Jan-mid-Mar)
. Via Ricci continues past the
Museo Civico
(
www.museocivicomontepulciano.it
;
Via Ricci 10; adult/reduced €5/3; 10am-1pm & 3-6pm Tue-Sun
Mar-July & Sep-Oct, 10am-7pm Tue-Sun Aug, 10am-1pm & 3-6pm Sat & Sun Nov-Feb)
, home to an
eclectic collection of art works and artefacts, and terminates in Piazza San Francesco,
where you can admire a panoramic view of the Val di Chiana.
Courses & Tours
range of tours and courses, including cooking courses (€60 to €180), vineyard tours (€18
to €48), Slow Food tours (€100 to €155), wine-tasting lessons (€37) and walking tours in
the vineyards culminating in a wine tasting (€45 to €60). You can make bookings at its in-
formation office in Piazza Grande.
Festivals & Events
Musica di Stelle
(Music of the Stars;
www.fondazionecantiere.it
)
Performances of opera, theatre and classical and
contemporary music are staged in venues throughout the town.
ARTS
