Overview
The Piazza Grande di Montepulciano is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. It is L-shaped and overlooks the Renaissance Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Palazzo Comunale that looks very much like Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Well of the Griffins and Lions and Palazzo Contucci designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, who also signed the Palazzo Capitano del Popolo and Palazzo Nobili Tarugi.
The square is located on the highest point of the country and was originally smaller and profiled by medieval buildings. Here the sentences were carried out, the convicts were tied to a column and the market was held. When the market was moved to Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza Grande became a veritable Renaissance lounge. The current palaces date back to the XV-XVI century and were designed by famous architects of the time such as Michelozzo Michelozzi and Ippolito Scalza.
Today the square is still the beating heart of Montepulciano. There appears the coat of arms of the Medici. Two lions hold it at the top of the lintel that overlooks the Well of the Greys and Lions. Enter Palazzo Contucci to visit the Sala della Festa frescoed by Andrea Pozzo and a wine cellar dedicated to Montepulciano wine.
Piazza Grande, 1, 53045 Montepulciano SI, Italia
