Full Day Guided Tour Itinerary Example 1: Montepulciano – Pienza A.M.:Visit to city of Montepulciano, its
monuments of the 1500s and the town's cathedral. The cathedral houses the prized Trittico dell'Assunta (Trytich of the Assumption) by Taddeo di Bortolo, a glazed terracotta altar by Andrea della
Robbia; and the funeral monument dedicated to Bartolomeo Aragazzi, sculpted by the celebrated architect and sculptor Michelozzo.
- Possibility of also visiting a wine cellar, in which is produced the famed Noble Wine of Montepulciano.
- Upon request, reservation is made for a food tasting session of typical Tuscan cuisine – toasted bread with olive oil (bruschetta), Tuscan salami, Pecorino cheese of Pienza, and wine tasting of wines
produced from a particular cellar. Products may also be bought directly from the locale of the after tasting session.
P.M.:Visit to the city of Pienza, unique realization of an example of an "Ideal City of the Renaissance". One can admire the splendid
cathedral, positioned in the central square of the city, Palazzo Piccolomini Museum (summer residence of Pope Pius II, who commissioned and had executed the city's renovation, admission £6.000), the cardinal
palace of Rodrigo Borgia (today the Bishop's Palace) which now houses the notable Diocesan Museum (admission £5.000,only for group), and the City Hall (Palazzo Communale). The town was planned and built between 1459 and 1462 by Bernardo Gambarelli, nicknamed Rossellino, one of the most famous Florentine architects of his time.
Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini, was also a great humanistic, who desired that his native town of Corsignano be transformed into a splendid renaissance city which today is Pienza.
The tour includes visits to the medieval and renaissance quarters of the city and the panoramic streets with splendid views of the Orcia Valley.
*Upon request, reservations may also be made for lunch at one of the best local restaurants of Pienza. |
