Overview
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Montepulciano opens onto Piazza Grande, in the heart of the village. It was originally called the Parish Church of Santa Maria and became a Cathedral in 1570, when work began on the construction of the new, more imposing church.
Work continued between construction and demolition until 1586, when a competition was held between the best architects of the time to complete the work. In 1594 the project by Ippolito Scalza was chosen. Of the original parish church, only the 14th century bell tower survives.
The interior has a Latin cross with three naves divided by pillars and round arches. The central nave has a barrel vault, the two lateral vaults a cross. Of note is the funeral monument to Bartolomeo Aragazzi, archpriest of the ancient Pieve, who commissioned him still alive. Behind the baptismal font of Giovanni d 'Agostino is the Altare dei Gigli by Andrea della Robbia in glazed terracotta.
The most precious treasure of the Cathedral is the triptych of the Assumption of Thaddeus of Bartholomew which is located behind the central altar. It dates back to 1401 and is among the oldest preserved intact through the centuries.
