Siena & Central Tuscany - Florence and Tuscany - page 430

Montepulciano's main street - called in stages Via di Gracciano, Via di Voltaia, Via
dell'Opio and Via d'Poliziano - climbs up the eastern ridge of the town from Porta al
Prato and loops to meet Via di Collazzi on the western ridge. To reach the centre of town
(Piazza Grande) take a dog-leg turn into Via del Teatro.
In Piazza Savonarola, up from the Porta al Prato, is the Colonna del Marzocca MAP
GOOGLE MAP , erected in 1511 to confirm Montepulciano's allegiance to Florence. The
splendid stone lion, squat as a pussycat atop this column is, in fact, a copy; the original is
in the town's Museo Civico. The late-Renaissance Palazzo Avignonesi MAP GOOGLE MAP is
at No 91 and other notable buildings include the Palazzo di Bucelli MAP GOOGLE MAP at No
73 (look for the recycled Etruscan and Latin inscriptions and reliefs on the lower facade),
and Palazzo Cocconi MAP GOOGLE MAP at No 70.
Continuing uphill, you'll find Michelozzo's Chiesa di Sant'Agostino MAP GOOGLE MAP ,
with its lunette above the entrance holding a terracotta Madonna and Child, John the
Baptist and St Augustine. Opposite, the Torre di Pulcinella MAP GOOGLE MAP , a medieval
tower house, is topped by the town clock and the hunched figure of Pulcinella (Punch of
Punch and Judy fame), which strikes the hours. After passing historic Caffè Poliziano
( Click here ) , the Corso continues straight ahead and Via del Teatro veers off to the right.

FATTORIA LE CAPEZZINE

This wine estate ( 0578 72 43 04; www.avignonesi.it ; Via Colonica 1, Valiano di Montepulciano;
9am-6pm May-Oct, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri Nov-Apr), 15km northeast of Montepulciano, is part of the
highly regarded Avignonesi company, which produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di
Montepulciano, Vin Santo, grappa and olive oil. Spread over 19 hectares, the estate is known for its
'Round Vineyard', which was designed to establish to what extent the quality of wine is influenced by
density of planting and type of rootstock. Book in advance to enjoy a two-hour tour (standard/premi-
um tasting €15/38; tours 10am & 3pm May-Oct, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri Nov-Apr) of the vineyards,
ageing cellars and vinsantaia (where Vin Santo is aged), followed by a tasting of Avignonesi wines;
details are on the website.

Piazza Grande
MAP

PIAZZA

GOOGLE MAP

This is the town's highest point and the shooting location for the main crowd scene in
New Moon, the second film in the Twilight series. The 14th-century Palazzo Comunale MAP
GOOGLE MAP (panoramic terrace €2) and the late-16th-century Duomo MAP

GOOGLE MAP (Piazza