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 to be by the Zúccari brothers (16th century). On the reredos of the high altar (1584) are four figures of Saints. The canónica (priest's house) near the church, like the fountain in front of the house, was designed by Sangallo but built after his death. It now houses a small museum devoted to St Blaise (San Biagio).