Montepulciano - Madonna di San Biagio

2km/1.25mi southwest of Montepulciano, finely situated at the end of a long avenue of tall cypresses, stands the Church of the Madonna di San Biagio, built by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder between 1518 and 1545 to house a much-venerated image of the Madonna. The church is on a Greek cross plan (that is with four arms of equal length), and above the crossing is a high dome borne on a drum. There are two free-standing campaniles, the one on the right being unfinished. This beautifully proportioned church, built of golden-yellow travertine, ranks among the finest examples of Renaissance architecture. The interior is richly decorated. The presbytery has frescoes depicting the Death, Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin which are believed