Montalcino, famous all round the world for the excellent Brunello from Montalcino DOCG red wine, is is also a magnificent city of art which, from its hill, dominates the 3000 hectares of vineyards (1500 for Brunello) that have given it fame and wealth.
Its name derives from a Latin compound name of Monte (Mountain) and "Ilicino" that literally means holm oak.
Straddled between the basins of the Ombrone and the Orcia, the centre is overlooked by the Fortress built in 1361 to consolidate the fact that Montalcino had become a possession of Siena. A second symbol of Montalcino is the slim tower of the Town Hallbuilt between the 13th and 14th centuries. At the foot of the tower Piazza del Popolo and the Gothic Loggia.
In the historic centre the churches of Sant'Agostino and Sant'Egidio (14th century) are worth a visit, as is the Civic and Diocese Museum which houses Della Robbia terracotta works and paintings and sculptures from the 14th to the 20th century.
Roads winding among vineyards lead to Torrenieri , Sant'Angelo in Colle e Poggio alle Mura . From Castelnuovo dell'Abate you reach the abbey of Sant'Antimo, one of Italy's Romanesque masterpieces.