Full Day Guided Tour Itinerary Example 2: Montalcino – Sant'Antimo – Pienza A.M.:Visit to the
town of Montalcino, noted medieval village. The town is noted world-wide for its famous Brunello wine, considered among many to be the best and most celebrated among Italian wines.
A little further from the town in the direction of Castelnuovo dell'Abate is located the romantic Sant'Antimo Abbey. It was established under French
Emperor Carlo Magno in 1781. Gregorian chants can still be heard daily at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., except on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. 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 £5.000), the cardinal palace of
Rodrigo Borgia (today the Bishop's Palace) which now houses the notable Diocesan Museum (admission £5.000), 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 wine tasting in a Montalcino cellar and lunch in a typical Montalcino locale.
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