Situation
Montepulciano lies in eastern Tuscany, some 70km/45mi southeast of Siena and 20km/12.5mi west of Lake Trasimene (which is in Umbria).
History
Montepulciano is traditionally believed to have been founded by Porsenna; and it seems very probable that the place was of
Etruscan origin. It first appears in the records in the eigth century A.D. as Mons Policianus, from which its present name is derived (as well as the designation of its inhabitants as Poliziani). During the Middle Ages it was alternately allied with, or subject to, either Siena or Florence. Leading artists and architects were attracted to the town by the noble families who retained their influence here longer than in other Tuscan cities, and in consequence Montepulciano can boast numbers of fine Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Montepulciano was the birthplace of Marcello Cervini who in 1555 as Marcellus II was pope for 21 days.
Print this page
Add to Favorites
